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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Diophryopsis

Diophryopsis Hill & Borror, 1992 (ref. ID; 4408 original paper)

Order Euplotida: Family Uronychiidae (ref. ID; 7354)

[ref. ID; 4408]
Taxonomy; A Diophrys-like organism was described by Buddenbrock in 1920 (1920) and named Diophrys histrix. Differences in cortical structure and morphogenesis from that seen in Diophrys suggest that this organisms be placed in a new genus Diophryopsis histrix n. comb. (ref. ID; 4408)
Diagnosis; Diophryopsis histrix is a relatively small planktonic bacterivore. The egg-shaped cell is 14-55 um (avg. 32 um) long and 8-45 um (avg. 22 um) wide (n=50). There is little cortical sculpturing except for the individual pockets around the transverse cirri. All of the ciliary structures are composed of only a few cilia which are long when compared to the length of the cell. The AZOPK is composed of approximately 17 membranelles (15-21 membranelles, n=50) that are separated by a small gap between the collar and lapel regions. To the right of the AZOPK is a monokinetal endoral row of cilia. The paroral apparatus consists of 6-8 buccal cirri and a single paroral cirrus II/1. In the isolate collected, specimens have nine (18%), 10 (16%), 11(22%), 12(16%), 13(20%), 14(6%), 15(2%) (n=100) frontoventral and one (74%) or two left marginal cirri. All specimens had five transverse and three postero-marginal caudal cirri. Kinetal rows one and two are found on the left ventrolateral surface immediately to the left of the AZOPK. Kinetal row two wraps around to the dorsal surface where the other three kinetal rows are found. Dorsal cilia are 10-15 um long. There are two spherical macronuclear pieces and several associated micronuclei. (ref. ID; 4408)
Morphogenesis; During cell division in Diophryopsis, the cortical morphological changes that occur are similar to those seen in Diophrys except for the following differences: 1) During the development of the frontoventral and transverse cirri, there are five transverse cirri (III/1-VII/1), and nine frontoventral cirri (II/1 [paroral cirrus], III/2, III/3, IV/2, IV/3, V/2, V/3, VI/2 and VI/3) that form in each daughter cell. Polymorphism of the frontoventral cirri causing the formation of 9-15 cirri occurs after the cirral primordia have enlarged and have started to move to their final locations. 2) During the development of the paroral structures 6-8 small buccal cirri form along the right edge of the buccal overture in addition to the paroral cirrus (II/1). Diophrys salina Ruinen, 1938 was described in sufficient detail to be considered a valid species, however, its relationship to any of the above described Diophrys-like ciliates is not evident. Thus, its generic status at present is unclear. (ref. ID; 4408)
Type species; Diophryopsis histrix (Buddenbrock, 1920) Hill & Borror, 1992 (ref. ID; 4408)
  1. Diophryopsis histrix (Buddenbrock, 1920) (ref. ID; 7354), (Buddenbrock, 1920) Hill & Borror, 1992 (ref. ID; 4408)
    Syn; Diophrys histrix Buddenbrock, 1920 (ref. ID; 4408)

Diophryopsis histrix (Buddenbrock, 1920) (ref. ID; 7354), (Buddenbrock, 1920) Hill & Borror, 1992 (ref. ID; 4408)

Synonym

Diophrys histrix Buddenbrock, 1920 (ref. ID; 4408)

Descriptions

This species is the sole member of the genus. It is a Diophrys-like planktonic marine ciliate that is relatively small and circular in cross-section. The paroral membrane is reduced to a row of cilia. The FVC and TC are relatively narrow, elongate, and composed of few cilia. There are one-two left marginal cirri and three right caudal cirri. Dorsal cilia are 10-15 um long. There are two oval macronuclei. (ref. ID; 7354)