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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Marylynnia

  1. Marylynnia complexa (Warwick, 1971) Hopper, 1977 (ref. ID; 6573)
  2. Marylynnia hopperi Sharma & Vincx, 1982 (ref. ID; 6573 original paper)
    Syn; Marylynnia sp. I of Sharma et al., 1978 (ref. ID; 6573)

Marylynnia hopperi Sharma & Vincx, 1982 (ref. ID; 6573 original paper)

Synonym

Marylynnia sp. I of Sharma et al., 1978 (ref. ID; 6573)

Differential diagnosis

Marylynnia hopperi sp. nov. distinguished from the other Marylynnia species by a combination of the following characters: cluster of LMP's limited to the midpharyngeal region and better defined here than elsewhere on the body; thickened cuticle in the anterior region with associated cuticular ornamentation; shape of spicular apparatus. In addition, the filiform portion of the tail is not as long as that of other closely related species, especially M. complexa (Warwick, 1971) Hopper, 1977. The following observations were made on the type specimen of the latter species: 54-58 LMP's in the midpharyngeal region starting 39-55 µm from the anterior end and extending for 55-66 µm. There are also 13-16 LMP's on the tail arranged close together. Marylynnia hopperi however has fewer LMP's in the midpharyngeal region starting farther back. The shape of the spicules and gubernaculum is also different from that of M. complexa described by Warwick (1971) and Vitiello and Boucher (1971). (ref. ID; 6573)

Descriptions

  • Holotype male: Body cylindrical, narrowing towards the cervical region. Tail conical with posterior half attenuated and always curved ventrally. Cuticle thickened at anterior end with annulated appearance and prominent cuticular punctations encircled by a hexagonal pattern. Posterior to the level of the ventral pore, cuticle is much thinner and punctations are very fine. There are 25-36 lateral modified punctations (LMP's) in cluster located in region between ventral pore and nerve ring. No discernible pattern within the cluster, but the placement of the LMP's is similar in all the specimens examined. One longitudinal row of eight LMP's in the caudal region. Eight rows of hypodermal pore complexes distributed throughout the body: two pairs of sublateral rows, two subdorsal, and two subventral rows. Cuticle of lip region thin in relation to following part. Six internal labial papillae (1 µm) followed by six external labial (7 µm) and four cephalic setea (5 µm) in one circle. No subcephalic setae. Four somatic setae dorsally and two ventrally, placed in the midpharyngeal region or immediately above the cluster of LMP's. Other somatic setae very short and restricted to the tail. Amphids large, 11 µm in diameter, i.e., 45% of the corresponding body diameter (cbd), spiral with almost five turns in ventral direction. Buccal cavity cyathiform with prominent dorsal tooth and two pairs of small ventrosublateral teeth; more sclerotized than the pharyngeal lumen. Pharynx cylindrical, slightly broadened at base. No distinct cardia. Nerve ring at 47% of pharyngeal length from anterior end. Ventral pore always distinct; ventral cell not clearly defined. Reproductive system diorchic; testes opposed, both located on left side of intestine. Sperm cells globular (12-17 µm diameter). Spicules slender, slightly bent; 88 µm long. Gubernaculum 65 µm long, proximally double, with three lacunae and distally one strong and one weak cusp. Five cup-shaped medioventral supplements (not always clear), situated respectively at 7, 17, 30, 51, and 76 µm from the cloacal opening. Tail conoid with posterior half attenuated and tapering to a filiform end; 4.8 times cloacal diameter. Three caudal glands. (ref. ID; 6573)
  • Female: Only differences from the male are mentioned. Midpharyngeal region with about 30 LMP's. Short rows with three or four LMP's a short distance anterior and posterior to the vulva. Amphids with five turns; diameter is 8-12 µm. Reproductive system didephic, amphidelphic with reflexed ovaries, situated ventral to intestine, top of posterior ovary on right side of intestine. Each uterus containing two to three eggs. Vagina well sclerotized. Tail longer than in male; 6.7 times anal diameter. (ref. ID; 6573)
  • Juveniles: No juveniles were examined. (ref. ID; 6573)

    Type locality

    Burrard Inlet, Britisch Columbia, Canada. (ref. ID; 6573)

    Deposited slide

    Slide No.362 in the Instituut voor Dierkunde, Ghent, contains (male 1) and (female 1). Slide No.361 contains (male 2) and slide No.379 contains (female 2) and (male 3). (ref. ID; 6573)

    Examined materials

    Three males, two females. (ref. ID; 6573)