Spelaeonecta
Spelaeonecta Jankowski, 1975 (ref. ID; 2014)
Class Polyhymenophora: Subclass Spirotricha: Order Oligotrichida: Suborder Oligotrichina (ref. ID; 2014)
Synonym; Faureia Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 2014)
[ref. ID; 2014]
Body small (12-30 um long), ovoid, always ridged obliquely. Somatic cilia sparse but distributed uniformly over entire surface. Single long caudal cilium present. The oral aperture apical and surrounded by a group of specialized cirri-like cilia forming an open AZM. Unlike all other spirotrichs, the right part of the AZM is longer than the left in this genus. The contractile vacuole may be situated either terminally or centrally. Macronucleus ovoid in shape.
This genus is based on the descriptions of 4 species reported on a single occasion in caves in Romania.
Quote; Colin R. Curds, Michael A. Gates and David McL. Roberts "British and other freshwater ciliated protozoa Part II Ciliophora: Oligohymenophora and Polyhymenophora" Cambridge University Press, 1983 (ref. ID; 2014)
[ref. ID; 3389]
Body, small (12-30 um), transparent. Ovoid, circular or pyriform in shape. The circlet of apical membranelles is open and, in one species, extends to the posterior area. The peristome, which is not conspicuous, is located eccentrically in the circlet of the apical membranelles. There are several oblique stripes in the somatic area. Between the stripes the pellicle is embossed. Somatic cilia and a caudal cirrus are present. All species were found in freshwater in a cave. (ref. ID; 3389)
- Spelaeonecta armata (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Syn; Faureia armata Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
- Spelaeonecta brevizonata (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Syn; Faureia brevizonata Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
- Spelaeonecta cavernicola (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Syn; Faureia cavernicola Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
- Spelaeonecta longizonata (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Syn; Faureia longizonata Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
- Spelaeonecta spissa (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Syn; Faureia spissa Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
Spelaeonecta armata (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Synonym
Faureia armata Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
Descriptions
The body is elongated, slightly widened at the posterior half bearing 12 striations. Trichocysts are present, but not conspicuous, at the periphery of the cell. Cirri in the somatic area are short and dispersed. The cytoplasm is transparent and contains 2-3 granules and a contractile vacuole. A freshwater species found in a cave. (ref. ID; 3389)
Measurements
Size, 15-20 um. (ref. ID; 3389)
Spelaeonecta brevizonata (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Synonym
Faureia brevizonata Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
Descriptions
The transparent body is ovoid. The small buccal cavity, which is not very conspicuous, is situated eccentrically at the anterior extremity. Membranelles of the adoral zone are longer and thicker than somatic cilia which are thin and dispersed. The body shows the spiralled striations and the pellicle is embossed forming convex ridges between striations. The small, oval macronucleus and a contractile vacuole are situated centrally. The posterior half contains food vacuoles and other granules. Found in underground water in a cave. (ref. ID; 3389)
Measurements
Size, 15-18 um. (ref. ID; 3389)
Spelaeonecta cavernicola (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Synonym
Faureia cavernicola Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
Descriptions
The colourless body is oval or pyriform with the posterior extremity slightly truncated. There are 8-10 oblique stripes on the somatic area, where fine, long cilia are present. The caudal cirrus is as long as the body. The macronucleus and a contractile vacuole are found in the middle of the body. Found in freshwater in a cave. (ref. ID; 3389)
Measurements
Size, 30 um. (ref. ID; 3389)
Spelaeonecta longizonata (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Synonym
Faureia longizonata Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
Descriptions
The body is barrel shaped. The row of adoral membranelles is very long, extending to the posterior area. The caudal cirrus is 2/3 of the body length. The macronucleus is round and located anteriorly. A contractile vacuole is situated posteriorly. Found in water in a cave. (ref. ID; 3389)
Measurements
Size, 20-30 um. (ref. ID; 3389)
Spelaeonecta spissa (Tucolesco, 1962) Maeda, 1986 (ref. ID; 3389 redescribed paper)
Synonym
Faureia spissa Tucolesco, 1962 (ref. ID; 3389)
Descriptions
The transparent body is circular. Apical membranelles form an open circlet. Caudal cirrus long being 2/3 of the body length. The striped lines are very close together. The body contains 2-3 large granules and a contractile vacuole is located near the center of the body. A freshwater species found in a cave. (ref. ID; 3389)
Measurements
Size, 12 um. (ref. ID; 3389)