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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Neoheteromita

Infraphylum Monadofilosa: Class Sarcomonadea Cavalier-Smith, 1993: Order Glissomonadida Howe et al., 2009: Family Sandonidae Howe et al., 2009 (ref. ID; 7130)
  1. Neoheteromita globosa (ref. ID; 7130)
  2. Neoheteromita tolerans Bass & Cavalier-Smith (ref. ID; 7130 orignal paper)

Neoheteromita tolerans Bass & Cavalier-Smith (ref. ID; 7130 orignal paper)

Diagnosis

18S rDNA sequence, GenBank HQ121433; ITS2 rDNA GenBank HQ176335; cell size: 6 um (5.5-7.5 um); AF 1.5-2X BL; PF 1.75-2.25X BL. AF flickers, whip-like; PF trails passively. Posterior end of cell raised, not in contact with PF (except at insertion point) or substratum. Cell plastic: shape varies from round to tear-drop with acuminate posterior, most often cell posterior wide and blunt narrowing towards anterior. Cell jiggles energetically, vibrates as AF beats; during travel, cell flops side to side of its longitudinal axis. Cell usually travelling, changes of direction frequent. Adhesive posterior trail, can extend >1X BL. N in anterior half of cell. Marine, unlike all other glissomonads; maintained in artificial seawater. (ref. ID; 7130)

Comments

Within glissomonads, the 18S rDNA sequence of Neoheteromita tolerans is very closely related to N. globosa, and effectively identical to the soil-derived environmental clone AH48p78p11 (Howe et al. 2009). However, the type strain of N. tolerans was unable to grow in a medium less salty than 40% Artificial Seawater (CCAP recipe) in Volvic. These findings together provide further evidence that 18S-types can be insufficient for resolving species-level differences in morphology or ecology among strains. (ref. ID; 7130)

Etymology

tolerans L., referring to its ability to grow in a range of salinities. (ref. ID; 7130)

Type strain

Marine glisso (found as contaminant in culture ATCC50344 Paracercomonas marina). (ref. ID; 7130)