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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Mykophagophrys

Mykophagophrys Foissner, 1995 (ref. ID; 4861 original paper)

Class Colpodea (ref. ID; 7466)

[ref. ID; 4861]
Diagnosis; Very small to small Grossglockneriidae with inflexible body and slightly spirally coursing somatic kineties, some of which distinctly shortened on both sides of cell. Discharged extrusomes nail-like, i.e. long and thin with conical distal end. (ref. ID; 4861)
Discussion; Foissner (1993) already mentioned that a new genus is required for Pseudoplatyophrya terricola and Platyophrya armata Kahl, 1926, because of their unique extrusomes; however, the preparation of the book was too advanced to include all the changes needed. Extrusomes were noted in the original description of P. terricola, but their peculiar shape in discharged condition was not observed. I am indebted to my co-worker, Mag. Aline Berthold, for recognizing this peculiarity, which I have since been able to confirm on 12 populations found in soils worldwide. Furthermore, I reinvestigated the other members of the Grossglockneriidae, i.e. Nivaliella plana, Pseudoplatyophrya nana, P. saltans, Grossglockneria acuta and G. hyalina; their extrusomes are granular and not nail-shaped when extrude. Two species need to be transferred to the new genus, viz. Pseudoplatyophrya terricola Foissner, 1985 and Platyophrya armata Kahl, 1926. Both are rather similar and the few differences described, viz. the slightly larger size (32-40 um), the more distinctly furrowed cortex and the less conspicuous caudal cilium of P. armata, might be caused by some natural variability and/or incomplete observations. However, P. armata has been recorded only from freshwater, whereas P. terricola is very likely confined to terrestrial biotopes. Thus, I keep them separate. (ref. ID; 4861)
Etymology; Composite of the Greek words "myko" (derived from mykes = fungus, mushroom), "phag" (derived from phagein = to eat) and "ophrys" (eyelash, cilia). Refers to the special feeding strategy of grossglockneriid ciliates, viz. on fungal hyphae and spores. Feminine. (ref. ID; 4861)
Type species; Mykophagophrys terricola (Foissner, 1985) nov. comb. (basionym: Pseudoplatyophrya terricola Foissner, 1985)
  1. Mykophagophrys amata (Kahl, 1926) Foissner, 1995 (ref. ID; 4861)
    Syn; Platyophrya armata Kahl, 1926 (ref. ID; 4861)
  2. Mykophagophrys terricola (Foissner, 1985) Foissner, 1995 (ref. ID; 4861) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 7466)
    Syn; Pseudoplatyophrya terricola Foissner, 1985 (ref. ID; 4861)