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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Proales

Proales Gosse, 1886

Class Monogonontaet: Order Ploimida: Family Proalidae (ref. ID; 6806)

ref. ID; 1663

Mastax modified malleate. Unci adapted for crushing and grinding. Corona oblique. Littoral species. (ref. ID; 1663)

ref. ID; 1923

Some act as scavengers, eating out the contents of dead cladocera and insect larvae. (ref. ID; 1923)

ref. ID; 3245

Notommatid rotifers with spindle-shaped, illoricate body, with a slight constriction behind the mastax separating the head and abdomen; there is usually a distinct reduction in diameter of the body at the base of the foot, which has two very short toes. The corona is an oblique disc with well developed marginal cilia and two lateral tufts of densely set, long cilia, especially adapted to swimming; they resemble auricles, but are not retractile, the apical plate is not usually enclosed by the marginal ciliation and may be dorsal. The buccal field is large and evenly ciliated; the mouth is at the ventral margin. The mastax is a modification of the malleate type; the piston is small and not attached to the fulcrum, but to the ventral wall of the mastax. The fulcrum is short and nearly in a straight line with the flat, roughly triangular rami, which are usually dentate on the inner edges and the large basal apophyses. The manubria are as long as in the normal virgate mastax; the unci have four or more well-developed teeth. The epipharynx consists of two very irregularly shaped pieces, imbedded in the walls of the mastax at the side of the mouth. The retrocerebral organ is rudimentary or absent. The eyespot is usually cervical, rarely frontal or absent. (ref. ID; 3245)
  1. Proales adenoides Myers, 1933 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018)
  2. Proales alba Wulfert, 1939 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018)
  3. Proales algicola Kellicott, 1897 (ref. ID; 2018)
    See; Cephalodella catellina (ref. ID; 3688)
    ?Cephalodella catellina (O.F. Muller) according to Harring & Myers (1924). Insufficiently described; nomen dubium. (ref. ID; 2018)
  4. Proales asellicola Bartos, 1947 (ref. ID; 1345)
    See; Encentrum asellicola (ref. ID; 2019)
  5. Proales aureus Zavadowski, 1916 (ref. ID; 2018)
    Parasitic in colonies of Volvox aureus. Insufficiently described; nomen dubium. (ref. ID; 2018)
  6. Proales baradlana Varga, 1958 (ref. ID; 2018, 2333 original paper)
  7. Proales bemata Myers, 1933 (ref. ID; 2018)
  8. Proales brevipes Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 1345, 3245 original paper, 3688)
  9. Proales caudata Bilfinger, 1894
    See; Dorystoma caudata (ref. ID; 1345, 2017, 3245, 3688)
  10. Proales christinae De Smet, 1994 (ref. ID; 2018)
  11. Proales cognita Myers, 1940 (ref. ID; 2018)
  12. Proales commutata Althaus, 1957 (ref. ID; 1472, 2018, 2543 original paper, 7859)
  13. Proales coryneger Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 2018)
    Insufficiently described; nomen dubium. (ref. ID; 2018)
  14. Proales cryptopus Wulfert, 1935 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018)
  15. Proales daphnicola (Thompson, 1892) (ref. ID; 1132, 1345, 2018, 2266, 2696, 3245, 3542, 3688)
    Syn; Furcularia gammari Plate, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345); Furcularia reinhardti Ehrenberg, 1834 (ref. ID; 1345); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Harring, 1913 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Myers, 1917 (ref. ID; 2018); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Thompson, 1892 (ref. ID; 1132); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Wulfert, 1939 (ref. ID; 3688) or 1959 (ref. ID; 2018); Pleurotrocha macropoda Zavadovsky, 1926 (ref. ID; 3688); Pleurotrocha reinhardti von Hofsten, 1912 (ref. ID; 1345); Pleurotrocha sigmoides Skorikov, 1896 (ref. ID; 3688); Proales daphnicola Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales daphnicola (Remane, 1933) (ref. ID; 1345); Proales gammari (Plate, 1886) (ref. ID; 1345); Proales nova Wlastow, 1953 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales reinhardti (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 1345); Proales sigmoidea Fadeew, 1927 (ref. ID; 3688)
  16. Proales decipiens (Ehrenberg, 1831) (ref. ID; 1345, 2268, 2757, 2994, 7846) or Ehrenberg 1832 (ref. ID; 2018, 2276, 3271) reported year? (ref. ID; 2196, 2814, 2890, 3036, 4607)
    Syn; Notommata decipiens Ehrenberg, 1831 (ref. ID; 1345, 2757) or 1832 (ref. ID; 2018, 2276, 3271) or 1838 (ref. ID; 3036); Notommata vermicularis Durjardin, 1841 (ref. ID; 1345, 3271); Pleurotrocha decipiens von Hofsten, 1909 (ref. ID; 1345, 3271) or 1910 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales brevipes Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales decipiens Harring & Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345, 2276) or 1889 (ref. ID; 3036); Proales vermicularis Dujardin, 1841 (ref. ID; 2018)
  17. Proales decipiens Weber, 1898
    See; Proales fallaciosa (ref. ID; 3271, 3688)
  18. Proales digitus Donner (ref. ID; 2269 original paper)
  19. Proales diglandula Zawadowski, 1926 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688) or Zavadowski, 1926 (ref. ID; 2019)
    See; Encentrum diglandula (ref. ID; 1345, 2019, 3688)
  20. Proales doliaris (Rousselet, 1895) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2282, 2993, 3245, 3688)
    Syn; Microcodides doliaris Rousselet, 1895 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Micrococodides dollaris Rousselet, 1895 (ref. ID; 2282); Mikrocodides doliaris Harring, 1913 (ref. ID; 3245); Proales doliaris Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018)
  21. Proales fallaciosa Wulfert, 1937 (ref. ID; 1345, 1923, 2018, 2268, 2841, 2886, 2994, 3688) or 1939 (ref. ID; 2266) reported year? (ref. ID; 1473, 2640, 2890, 2932, 3271)
    Syn; Proales decipiens Weber, 1898 (ref. ID; 3271, 3688); Proales sordida Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 3271) or Harring & Myers, 1922 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688)
  22. Proales felis Hudson & Gosse, 1886
    See; Encentrum felis (ref. ID; 1345, 2757, 3688)
  23. Proales fleetensis (ref. ID; 1415 original paper)
  24. Proales gammari (Plate, 1886) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018)
    Syn; Floscualris gamari Plate, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345); Proales gammari Remane, 1933 (ref. ID; 1345); Proales reinhardti Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 1345)
    Synonymous with Proales reinhardti (Ehrenberg) according to Harring & Myers (1924) and Koste (1978), with P. daphnicola (Thompson) according to De Beauchamp (1923), or with P. theodora after Hauer (1938); nomen dubium. (ref. ID; 2018)
  25. Proales germanica Tzschaschel, 1979 (ref. ID; 3130 original paper) or 1978 (ref. ID; 2018), Tzsaschel (ref. ID; 1415)
  26. Proales gibba Gosse, 1886
    See; Cephalodella auriculata (ref. ID; 3245)
  27. Proales gigantea (Glascott, 1893) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2278, 2317, 2757, 3245)
    Syn; Notommata gigantea Glascott, 1893 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2278, 2317, 2757, 3245); Proales gigantea Stevens, 1912 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245)
  28. Proales gladia Myers, 1933 (ref. ID; 2018)
  29. Proales globulifera Hauer, 1921 (ref. ID; 1345, 1473, 2018, 2266)
    Syn; Furcularia globulifera Hauer, 1921 (ref. ID; 2018); ?Notops quadrangularis Glascott, 1893 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales globulifera Remane, 1929 (ref. ID; 2018)
  30. Proales globulifera var. halophila Remane, 1929
    See; Proales halophila (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3688)
  31. Proales gonothyraeae Remane, 1929 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018)
  32. Proales granulosa Myers, 1933 (ref. ID; 2018)
  33. Proales halophila (Remane, 1929) (ref. ID; 1345, 1415, 2018, 3130, 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 3573)
    Syn; Proales globulifera var. halophila Remane, 1929 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3688); Proales halophila Berzins, 1952 (ref. ID; 2018)
  34. Proales hyalina Stokes, 1897
    See; Cyrtonia tuba Ehrenberg, 1834 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688)
  35. Proales indirae Wulfert, 1966 (ref. ID; 2018, 2064 original paper)
  36. Proales kostei Nogrady, 1989 (ref. ID; 1499) or Nogrady & Smol, 1989 (ref. ID; 2018)
  37. Proales latrunculus Penard, 1904 (ref. ID; 1345)
    Syn; Pleurotrocha latrunculus Harring, 1913 (ref. ID; 1345)
  38. Proales laurentinus Jennings, 1896 (ref. ID; 3295)
    See; Pleurotrocha petromyzon (ref. ID; 1345, 3245, 3688)
  39. Proales lenta Wlastow, 1956 (ref. ID; 2018)
  40. Proales longidactyla Edmondson, 1948 (ref. ID; 2018, 2280, 3196 original paper)
    According to Segers (1993) synonymous with Lecane clara (Bryce). (ref. ID; 2018)
  41. Proales longipes var. calcarata Wulfert, 1938 (ref. ID; 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 1345)
    See; Proales theodora (ref. ID; 3688)
  42. Proales macrura Myers, 1933 (ref. ID; 2018)
  43. Proales micropus (Gosse, 1886) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2268, 2757, 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 2890)
    Syn; Furcularia micropus Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2757) or Hudson & Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 3688); Proales micropus Jennings, 1901 (ref. ID; 3688); Proales micropus Rodewald, 1935 (ref. ID; 3688)
  44. Proales minima (Montet, 1915) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2266, 3036, 3245, 3688) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 3413)
    Syn; Pleurotrocha minima Montet, 1915 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Proales minima Weber & Montet, 1918 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3688); Proales psammophila Neizwestonowa-Shadina, 1935 (ref. ID; 3036) or Neiswestnowa-Shadina, 1935 (ref. ID; 3688)
  45. Proales mirabilis Stenroos, 1898
    See; Encentrum felis (ref. ID; 3688)
  46. Proales namibiensis Koste & Brain, 1991 (ref. ID; 1469)
    See; Lecane hastata (ref. ID; 2016)
  47. Proales namibiensis Koste & Brain, 1993 in Brain & Koste 1993 (ref. ID; 2018)
    Synonymous with Lecane hastata (Murray) according to Segers (1995). (ref. ID; 2018)
  48. Proales oculata Tzschaschel, 1979 (ref. ID; 3130 original paper) or 1978 (ref. ID; 2018), Tzsaschel (ref. ID; 1415)
  49. Proales ornata Myers, 1933 (ref. ID; 2018)
  50. Proales orthodon Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 2018)
    Insufficiently described; nomen dubium. (ref. ID; 2018)
  51. Proales paguri Thane-Fenchel, 1966 (ref. ID; 2018, 2710 original paper)
  52. Proales palimmeka Myers, 1940 (ref. ID; 2018)
  53. Proales parasita (Ehrenberg, 1838) (ref. ID; 1345, 1488, 2018, 2757, 3181, 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 2933)
    Syn; Notommata parasita Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 1345, 1488, 2018, 2757, 3181); Proales parasita Rousselet, 1911 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3688)
  54. Proales parasita Hudson & Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 3181)
    See; Ascomorpha volvocicola (ref. ID; 2276), Hertwigella volvocicola (ref. ID; 1345, 3688)
  55. Proales petromyzon Hudson & Gosse, 1886
    See; Pleurotrocha petromyzon (ref. ID; 1345, 2757, 3245, 3271, 3688)
  56. Proales pejleri (ref. ID; 1472 original paper)
  57. Proales phaeopis Myers, 1933 (ref. ID; 2018)
  58. Proales prehensor Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 2018)
    Synonymous to Lecane levistyla (Olofsson) according to Harring & Myers (1924). (ref. ID; 2018)
  59. Proales provida Wulfert, 1938 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2269)
  60. Proales psammophila Neiswestnowa-Shadina, 1935 (ref. ID; 2018)
    = Proales minima f. psammophila Koste (1978); synonymous to P. minima according Wiszniewski (1935). Since the trophi are poorly described, it is impossible to make a distinction with P. minima (Montet); nomen dubium. (ref. ID; 2018)
    See; Proales minima (ref. ID; 3036, 3688)
  61. Proales pugio (ref. ID; 1807, 2018)
  62. Proales reinhardti(i) Ehrenberg, 1934 (ref. ID; 1345, 1415), reinhardti (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 2018, 2601, 3245, 3688) or 1833 (ref. ID; 1419) reported year? (ref. ID; 3573)
    Syn; Diops marina Bergendal, 1892 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245, 3688); Distemma marinum Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 1419, 3688); Endesma marinum Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 3688); Furcularia gammari Plate, 1886 (ref. ID; 3688); Furcularia reinhardti Ehrenberg, 1833 (ref. ID; 1419) or 1834 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Furcularia succulata Lamarck, 1816 (ref. ID; 3688); Mytilina poecilops Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245); Mytilina producta Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1419, 3245, 3688); Mytilina tavina Hudson, 1886 (ref. ID; 1419) or Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 3245, 3688); Mytilina teresa Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245, 3688); Notommata reinhardti Hudson & Gosse, 1889 (ref. ID; 1419, 3245, 3688); Notommata theodora Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1419, 3245) or 1889 (ref. ID; 3688); Pleurotrocha reinhardti von Hofsten, 1912 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245, 3688); Proales reinhardti Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 1419, 2018); Vorticella succolata O.F. Muller, 1786 (ref. ID; 3688)
  63. Proales segnis Myers, 1938 (ref. ID; 2018)
  64. Proales sigmoidea Fadeew, 1937
    See; Proales daphnicola Thompson, 1892 (ref. ID; 3688)
  65. Proales sigmoidea (Skorikov, 1896) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2266, 2696, 2968)
    Syn; Pleurotrocha macropoda Zavadowski, 1926 (ref. ID; 2018); Pleurotrocha sigmoidea Skorikov, 1896 (ref. ID; 2018)
  66. Proales similis de Beauchamp, 1908 (ref. ID; 1345, 3245, 3688) or 1907 (ref. ID; 2018) reported year? (ref. ID; 7859), similis similis de Beauchamp, 1908 (ref. ID; 2886)
    Syn; Pleurotrocha similis von Hofsten, 1912 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3688)
  67. Proales similis exoculis Berzins, 1953 (ref. ID; 3258 original paper)
  68. Proales simplex Wang, 1961 (ref. ID; 2018)
  69. Proales sordida Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2283, 2932, 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 2890)
    See; Proales fallaciosa (ref. ID; 3271)
    Syn; Pleurotrocha sordida Harring, 1913 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3688)
  70. Proales sordida Harring & Myers, 1922
    See; Proales fallaciosa (ref. ID; 1345, 3688)
  71. Proales spinosus Lie-Pettersen, 1909 (ref. ID; 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 1345)
    See; Dorystoma caudata (ref. ID; 1345, 3688)
  72. Proales syltensis Tzsachaschel, 1979 (ref. ID; 3130 original paper) or 1978 (ref. ID; 2018), Tzsaschel (ref. ID; 1415)
  73. Proales theodora (Gosse, 1887) (ref. ID; 1345, 1450, 2018, 2640, 2841, 2920, 3208, 3688)
    Syn; Furcularia gammari Plate, 1886 (ref. ID; 3688); Furcularia reinhardti de Beauchamp, 1907 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Hauer, 1921 (ref. ID; 1345); Furcularia reinhardti Kozar, 1914 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Lauterborn, 1904/1917 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Levander, 1894 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920, 3688); Furcularia reinhardti Murray, 1906 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Sachse, 1914 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Voigt, 1904 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Notommata theodora Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 2018, 2920, 3208, 3688); Pleurotrocha reinhardti Manfredi, 1927 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920, 3688); ?Proales longipes Remane, 1929 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales longipes calcarata Wulfert, 1938 (ref. ID; 3688); Proales theodora Hauer, 1938 (ref. ID; 2018)
  74. Proales tigridia Gosse (ref. ID; 3245)
  75. Proales tigridia Weber, 1898
    See; Cephalodella eva (ref. ID; 1345, 3245), Cephalodella nana (ref. ID; 3688)
  76. Proales tyrphosa Berzins, 1948 (ref. ID; 2018)
  77. Proales uroglenae de Beauchamp, 1948 (ref. ID; 2018, 2968 original paper) or 1949 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688)
  78. Proales wernecki (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 1345, 3688) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 1519), Proales werneckii (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 2018, 2757, 3245, 3271)
    Syn; Copeus wernecki Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688); Copeus werneckii Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3271); Cyclops lupula Vaucher, 1803 (ref. ID; 1345, 3245, 3688); Notommata wernecki Ehrenberg, 1834 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688); Notommata werneckii Ehrenberg, 1834 (ref. ID; 2018, 2757, 3245, 3271); Proales wernecki Hudson & Gosse, 1889 (ref. ID; 1345); Proales werneckii Hudson & Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3271)
  79. Proales wesenbergi Wulfert, 1960 (ref. ID; 2018, 2933 original paper)

Proales brevipes Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 1345, 3245 original paper, 3688)

Descriptions

The body of this species is elongate, spindle-shaped and very slender; its greatest width is less than one fifth of the total length. The integument is very flexible and the outline constantly changing. The body is very transparent. The length of the head segment is considerably greater than its width; the anterior portion is separated from the head proper by a slight transverse fold and is the equivalent of the rostrum of the forcipate Notommatids. The neck segment is fairly long and nearly as wide as the body at its widest point. The anterior transverse folds are well marked. The abdomen is very nearly parallel-sided and ends in a slightly projecting tail, under which the cloaca opens. The foot is very stout, but little smaller in diameter than the abdomen; the anterior joint is twice as long as the nearly hemispherical posterior joint. The toes are minute, slender and conical, set wide apart, and freely movable, so that their tips may be brought into actual contact in the manner of a pair of forceps. The dorsal antenna is a small setigerous papilla in the normal position; the lateral antennae have not been found. The corona is obliquely ventral and weakly ciliated with the exception of the two frontal, auricle-like areas, which are furnished with strong cilia adapted to swimming. The mouth is at the posterior margin of the corona. The rostrum is outside of the corona, as the circumapical band has disappeared. The mastax is very nearly identical with that of Proales decipiens, and consequently no figure is given. The incus is almost straight; the fulcrum is slightly tapering from the base towards the ventral end. The rami are triangular and have a large basal apophysis; the inner edges are obscurely dentate. The manubria are elongate, rod-shaped, and expanded anteriorly into broad plates; the unci have each five well-developed teeth. An epipharynx has not been found, bur may be present; on account of the very small size it is difficult to make out the true form of the various elements of the mastax. The oesophagus is very long and slender. The gastric glands, ovary and bladder are normal. The stomach and intestine are not separated by a constriction. The foot glands are pyriform and rather small. The ganglion is large and saccate. A retrocerebral sac is present, but there are no subcerebral glands; the sac is partly fused to the ganglion and apparently ductless. No eyespots has been found. (ref. ID; 3245)

Comments

It is closely related to Proales decipiens, but is easily distinguished by its peculiar toes, smaller size and more slender body. (ref. ID; 3245)

Type locality

A few specimens of this species have been found in sphagnum growing on the banks of ditches at Glen Burnie, Maryland; Mr. David Bryce has found it in sphagnum collected in Otsego county, New York, by Mrs. A.C. Clarke, and sent to him. (ref. ID; 3245)

Measurements

Total length 90-120; toes 5-7, distance apart 7-8; trophi 12 µm. (ref. ID; 3245)

Proales commutata Althaus, 1957 (ref. ID; 1472, 2018, 2543 original paper, 7859)

Descriptions

This species has short cuticular plates on the caudal part of its body. (ref. ID; 1472)

Proales daphnicola (Thompson, 1892) (ref. ID; 1132, 1345, 2018, 2266, 2696, 3245, 3542, 3688)

Synonym

Furcularia gammari Plate, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345); Furcularia reinhardti Ehrenberg, 1834 (ref. ID; 1345); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Harring, 1913 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Myers, 1917 (ref. ID; 2018); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Thompson, 1892 (ref. ID; 1132); Pleurotrocha daphnicola Wulfert, 1939 (ref. ID; 3688) or 1959 (ref. ID; 2018); Pleurotrocha macropoda Zavadovsky, 1926 (ref. ID; 3688); Pleurotrocha reinhardti von Hofsten, 1912 (ref. ID; 1345); Pleurotrocha sigmoides Skorikov, 1896 (ref. ID; 3688); Proales daphnicola Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales daphnicola (Remane, 1933) (ref. ID; 1345); Proales gammari (Plate, 1886) (ref. ID; 1345); Proales nova Wlastow, 1953 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales reinhardti (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 1345); Proales sigmoidea Fadeew, 1927 (ref. ID; 3688)

Descriptions

The body is spindle-shaped, short and stout; its greatest width is about one third of the total length. The integument is soft and flexible, but the outline is fairly constant. It is a moderately transparent species. The head is short, broad and truncate anteriorly; it is separated from the abdomen by a well-marked constriction. Its width is about two thirds of the greatest width of the body and the length considerably less. The abdomen is somewhat pyriform, ending in a broad, but not very prominent tail. The foot is short and very stout; it has two joints, the basal somewhat longer and broader than the terminal, which is obliquely truncate posteriorly. The two toes are short, stout, and bluntly conical, ending in a minute tubule, through which the mucus glands discharge their contents. The dorsal antenna is a small, setigerous papilla in the normal position; the lateral antennae are near the middle of the body. The corona is very slightly oblique; the marginal ciliation is relatively weak, with the exception of two lateral auricle-like areas with very strong cilia adapted to swimming. The apical plate is large and unciliated; the buccal filed is evenly covered with short, close-set cilia. The mouth is near the ventral edge of the corona. The mastax is very robust and furnisched with powerful trophi, closely resembling the malleate type. The fulcrum is short and very broad. The rami are of an unusual form. The basal apophysis is very large and almost as long as the ramus itself, from which it is separated by a very deep sinus; the dorsal end curves downwards. The main portion of the rami is a broad, nearly rectangular plate; the inner margins are not dentate, but form small projecting cones at their junction with the dorsal margin. The right uncus has three clubbed teeth, gradually decreasing in size from the ventral margin, followed by three linear teeth; the basal plate is nearly square. The left uncus has three clubbed and two linear teeth. The manubria are roughly equilateral triangles; the ventral angle curves downwards and the posterior angle towards the dorsal side; the unci are hinged near the dorsal angle of the anterior margin. There is no epipharynx and apparently no piston. The oesophagus is moderately long and slender. There is no constriction between the stomach and intestine. The gastric glands are large and strongly compressed laterally. The ovary is normal. The foot glands are very large, pyriform and somewhat compressed; they open into large mucus reservoirs, which extend almost to the tips of the toes. There is no bladder. The ganglion is very large and saccate. There is no eyespot and no trace of a retrocerebral organ. (ref. ID; 3245)

Head broad, inclined forward, corona consisting of a ciliary wreath, in the midst of which are several styligerous combs, the whole bearing a strong resemblance to that of Epiphanes senta (Muller). This point had been noticed by Galliford, but appears to have escaped the attention of the other previous workers. Harring & Myers appear to dismiss it as quite a simple affair, merely saying that the buccal field is covered with a short, close set cilia. The head is marked off from the trunk by a pronounced V-shaped fold or furrow, which extends behind the dorsal antenna. The body is stout, the dorsal surface being strongly, gibbous, and the ventral surface is inclined to be a little convex. Narrowing towards the foot, the trunk is sometimes seen to be broadest below the median line, while at other times it tapers more gradually from about the exact position of the median line. This, however, is due to the general flexibility of the whole integument, exhibited by most Notommatids. This characteristic renders it very difficult to depict their correct shape. The same thing applies of the Bdelloids. The foot is exceptionally stout, terminating in two large toes. There would seem to be some doubt as to the exact number of segments in the foot. Harring figures four, one of the writer's unpublished drawings shows three, while Harring and Myers state that three are only two. In the accompanying drawing, showing Proales daphnicola from a lateral position, the foot is fully extended, and no folds are shown at all, and it therefore seems that the number of segments (as marked off by the transverse folds) vary according to the degree of contraction. The toes exhibit several points of interest. They are decidedly convex dorsally, and also along the outer margins, but their opposing surfaces are much straighter. They each terminate in a minute tubular prominence, this being the outlet from the copious pedal glands with which each toe is provided. The large supra-oesophageal ganglion gives off the usual nerves to the dorsal antenna, to the corona and the rest of the body. There is no eye spot, not unusual for commensal rotifers, which are not given to a great deal of free swimming. The lateral antennae are situated almost exactly on the equator of the body, being fairly easy to observe from most angles. The styles of the corona may have a sensory function, although it seems more probable that they serve as a scraping device when the animal applies its coronal face to the surface over which it is moving, browsing as it goes. A short ciliated buccal funnel lead to the large mastax. The trophi have not been dissolved out by the writer for further study, but good figures of the apparatus are to be found in Harring & Myers. The oesophagus is short, leading into a spacious stomach, the walls of which are divided into roughly rectangular areas of dense granulation with clearer spaces in between, a feature especially noticeable in Epiphanes senta (Muller). Oil and fat droplets, as intra-cellular inclusions, are conspicuous in the walls of the stomach, and the whole organ is usually packed full of brown food matter. Two large ovoid gastric glands are connected with the cardiac portion of the stomach by means of slender ducts. The intestine is not differentiated from the stomach. The cloaca is, of course, situated on the dorsal surface of the foot; although, owing to the apparent uncertainty which exists as regards the exact number of segments or joints of the foot, its position cannot be stated more precisely. The vitellarium with its large rectangular nuclei occupies almost the whole of the ventral area of the body cavity. The eggs are cemented to the carapace of the Daphnia after being laid. The lateral canals or renal tubules each bear at east four vibratile tags or flame cells, as they are sometimes called. The tubules describe a series of spiral and convolutions on either side of the mastax, thereafter following a fairly straight course down each side of the stomach to the bladder, this having the form of an inverted cone, situated between the upper extremities of the enormous pedal glands. It is inexplicable how such careful and experienced workers as Harring & Myers came to overlook the bladder, which they definitely state, is absent. There are noteworthy, and constitute one of the animal's peculiar characteristics. Reaching from the toes, they extend right up into the posterior part of the body cavity, even when the animal is fully extended. Their shape may be described as bulbous at the upper extremity, gradually tapering towards the lower end. The gland widens again just above the toes, giving the appearance of two glands. A slender duct runs through the middle of each toe and emerges into the external tubular prominence mentioned previously. Although this was not investigated as fully as the writer would have wished, it may be said that the muscular system appears to be quite normal. The longitudinal retractor muscles of the head and foot, especially those ventrally placed, are extremely stout. The circular muscles of the trunk are very conspicuous when the animal is viewed from a lateral position and the impart a somewhat segmented appearance to the abdomen. (ref. ID; 3542)

Comments

It is commensal or, more correctly, synoecious on Daphnids and, according to Murray, on oligochaete worms; it seems to obtain nothing but transportation from the host. (ref. ID; 3245)

This species is found attached to the carapace of Daphnia pulex (De Geer) and D. obtusa Kurz., by means of the secretion exuded from its relatively enormous pedal glands. (ref. ID; 3542)

Measurements

Total length 300-400; toes 25-35; trophi 36 wide, 30 µm long. (ref. ID; 3245)

Length 335 µm. (ref. ID; 3542)

Proales decipiens (Ehrenberg, 1831) (ref. ID; 1345, 2268, 2757, 2994, 7846) or 1832 (ref. ID; 2018, 2276, 3271) reported year? (ref. ID; 2196, 2814, 2890, 3036, 4607)

Synonym

Notommata decipiens Ehrenberg, 1831 (ref. ID; 1345, 2757), 1832 (ref. ID; 2018, 2276, 3271) or 1838 (ref. ID; 3036); Notommata vermicularis Durjardin, 1841 (ref. ID; 1345, 3271); Pleurotrocha decipiens von Hofsten, 1909 (ref. ID; 1345, 3271) or 1910 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales brevipes Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales decipiens Harring & Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345, 2276) or 1889 (ref. ID; 3036); Proales vermicularis Dujardin, 1841 (ref. ID; 2018)

Comments

The several description of P. decipiens presented by different authors essentially agree. On the other hand, however, a comparison of the given figures shows greater or smaller differences among them. Also my specimens, which I identified as P. decipiens, did no agree in some details with the described specimens. The animals from Aneboda have on the posterior ends of rami small alulae, which slightly resembles a similar form by P. sordida vera. In the middle part of the ramus, the robust tooth is absent, but is replaced by many small teeth. The appearance of the trophi is more like that given in figure by v. Hofsten, than in the drawing of other authors. (ref. ID; 3036)

Measurements

Total length 200-210; length of toes 9-10; length of trophi 23-26; width of trophi 24-26; length of manubrium 18 µm. (ref. ID; 3036)

Proales doliaris (Rousselet, 1895) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2282, 2993, 3245, 3688)

Synonym

Microcodides doliaris Rousselet, 1895 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Micrococodides dollaris Rousselet, 1895 (ref. ID; 2282); Mikrocodides doliaris Harring, 1913 (ref. ID; 3245); Proales doliaris Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018)

Descriptions

The mastax is of an aberrant form, and it appears doubtful whether this species should be included in the genus Proales. (ref. ID; 2282)

The body is short, extremely stout and gibbous; its greatest width is nearly equal to one half the total length. The integument is very flexible, but the outline is nevertheless quite constant. The entire body is hyaline. The head is short, broad and obliquely truncate, joining the abdomen without any constriction; its width is about one half of the greatest width of the body. The abdomen is ovoid or nearly spherical; it terminates in a short, sleeve-like tail surrounding the base of the foot. The dorsal surface is marked with five or six indistinct, transverse folds. The foot is short and two-jointed; the length of the terminal joint is barely equal to its width, of the basal joint nearly twice the width. The toe is single, acutely pointed and fusiform; its length is about one twelfth of the total length. As two normal foot glands are present, it is evident that the single toe originated by the fusion of two separate toes and is not to be considered as an unpaired toe; it would therefore be erroneous to attach any special significance to this distinctive feature. The dorsal antenna is a small setigerous papilla at the junction of the head and abdomen; the lateral antennae are somewhat father back than usual. The corona is strongly oblique and consists of a circumapical band of relatively short cilia with two lateral, auricle-like tufts of long cilia adapted to swimming. On the unciliated apical plate are two minute papillae with a few sensory setae; the buccal field is evenly ciliate. The mouth is near the ventral edge of the corona. The mastax represents a somewhat unusual modification of the intermediate type common to this genus. The fulcrum is a nearly parallel-sided, thin lamella. The medial portion of the rami form a roughly lyrate forceps; this is extended laterally by very thin lamellae, thus giving the incus a triangular outline. The basal apophyses take the form of long, conical, divergent, hornlike prongs. The right ramus has near the base a lamellar projection, curving towards the left and with five or six marginal denticles; this is followed by four widely spaced, short, conical teeth on the inner edge, the last one terminal. The left ramus has, opposite the lamellar projection of the right ramus, two short teeth, very close has seven, and the left six, well developed teeth, clubbed at the tips and united by a thin basal plate; each ramus has an additional, imperfect tooth at the ventral margin. The manubria are moderately long and have a broad basal plate. The piston is rudimentary. The oesophagus is long and slender. The stomach and intestine are separated by a slight constriction. The gastric glands, ovary and bladder are normal. The two pyriform foot glands are within the body and discharge through long, very slender ducts through the single toe. The ganglion is very large and saccate; the eyespot is on the ventral side, close to the mastax and apparently affected by its movement. No retrocerebral organ is present. (ref. ID; 3245)

Comments

The propriety of placing this species in the genus Proales may be open to question; there can be none as to its removal from Mikrocodides, which is related to Cyrtonia and not at all to the Notommatids. However, if it is not to be made the type of a new genus, on account of the somewhat aberrant structure of the mastax, the assignment to Proales seems unobjectionable. (ref. ID; 3245)

Measurements

Total length 200; width 100; toes 20 µm. (ref. ID; 2282)

Total length 250-300; toes 20-25; trophi 25 µm. (ref. ID; 3245)

Proales fleetensis (ref. ID; 1415 original paper)

Descriptions

The body is ovate with the maximum width in the middle. It possesses a thin flexible lorica and is normally slightly arched in lateral view. There are two prominent eyespots on the dorsal side of the head. The head is short and broad. The foot has three segments. There are prominent pedal glands with long ducts to the toes. The toes are very long, slender and finely pointed, accounting for nearly 30% of the total length. The trophi follow the normal Proales pattern, with the unci possessing four teeth. These appear serrated at their tips. No lateral antennae were observed. (ref. ID; 1415)

Comments

Proales fleetensis appears to be most closely related to P. styltensis Tzschaschel, and P. germanica Tzschaschel, both of which were found in similar marine and brackish water environments. Two more distantly related species, both marine, are P. halophila Remane, and P. oculata Tzschaschel, but the proportionate length of the toes makes P. fleetensis easily distinguishable. (ref. ID; 1415)

Etymology

The species name is derived from the Fleet, Dorset where the species was discovered. (ref. ID; 1415)

Measurements

Overall length 90-105 µm; width 50 µm; toes length 27 µm; manubria 15.5 µm; fulcrum 4.5 µm; unci 8 µm. (ref. ID; 1415)

Proales germanica Tzschaschel, 1979 (ref. ID; 3130 original paper) or 1978 (ref. ID; 2018), Tzsaschel (ref. ID; 1415)

Descriptions

It found marine and brackish water environments. See P. fleetensis. (ref. ID; 1415)

Proales gigantea (Glascott, 1893) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2278, 2317, 2757, 3245)

Synonym

Notommata gigantea Glascott, 1893 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2278, 2317, 2757, 3245); Proales gigantea Stevens, 1912 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245)

Descriptions

All specimens were found free swimming, but this species is said to be parasitic on the eggs of the pond snail Lymnaea. (ref. ID; 2317)

The body of the free-swimming animal is nearly cylindrical, short and stout; its greatest width is about one fourth of the entire length. The integument is very soft and flexible and the outline constantly changing. The head is short and broad; the neck is represented by two or three indistinct folds, which do not encircle the body completely. The abdomen is elongate ovoid and slightly constricted at the base of the foot; the tail is distinct, but not very prominent. The foot has two short joints, both very large in diameter, and terminates in a hemispherical bulb with the two very small toes set far apart; on the posterior dorsal margin of the foot there is a prominent spur, projecting at a nearly right angle with the longitudinal axis of the body; the toes are abruptly reduced to short, needle-like points. The dorsal antenna is a small, setigerous papilla in the normal position; the lateral antennae have not been observed. The corona is oblique and weakly ciliated with the exception of two lateral, auricle-like areas provided with strong cilia adapted to propelling the animal though the water. The mouth is at the posterior margin of the corona. The mastax is closely related to the primitive malleate type. The incus is nearly straight; the fulcrum is long, slender and slightly decurved at the anterior end. The rami are broad and triangular with a large basal apophysis; on the right ramus there is immediately behind the basal apophysis a broad, shear-like, striated and denticulate blade projecting towards the let and opposing the first tooth of the left uncus; it has no counterpart on the left side. The inner edges of the rami are not denticulate. The right uncus has six long teeth, gradually decreasing in size from the ventral margin; to the first tooth is joined an additional rudimentary tooth, which is only half the length of the main tooth; the two dorsal teeth are very slender and joined for their entire length. The left uncus has five principal teeth, one very slender supplementary, full length tooth and the tip of a second both joined to the first ventral tooth; to the last, or dorsal, tooth is joined the tip of another imperfectly developed tooth. The middle cell of the manubrium is long and very broad and has the usual sigmoid curvature; the ventral and dorsal cells are broad and plate-like. The epipharynx consists of two irregular, conchoidal structures, imbedded in the walls of the mastax at the sides of the mouth. The piston is rudimentary and attached to the ventral wall of the mastax. The oesophagus is fairly long and quite slender. The gastric glands are small and near the ventral side than is usually the case. There is no constriction between the stomach and intestine. The ovary is very large and in the mature animal contains usually from one to three developing eggs are the same time. The bladder is very small. The foot glands are huge and completely fill the foot; they discharge into large mucus reservoirs, contained in the hemispherical bulb on which the toes are seated. The ganglion is rather small and saccate; the minute eyespot is at the posterior end. A large retrocerebral sac is present, but no subcerebral glands. (ref. ID; 3245)

Comments

Proales gigantea is parasitic in the eggs of the pond snail, Lymnaea, possibly in several species. The free-swimming young female pierces the shell of the snails' egg, feeds on the contents and lays its eggs within the shell, where the young continue the destruction of the embryo snail. The fully grown female Proales gigantea is very much larger than in the free-swimming stage, reaching a size of fully 500 µm, and becomes a shapeless, distended bag, hardly recognized as a rotifer. A full account of the development of the eggs is given by Stevens. (ref. ID; 3245)

Measurements

Length of body 142; max. width 54; toes 12 µm. (ref. ID; 2278)

Total length of animal 200 µm. (ref. ID; 2317)

Total length of the free-swimming animal 200; toes 8 µm. (ref. ID; 3245)

Proales halophila (Remane, 1929) (ref. ID; 1345, 1415, 2018, 3130, 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 3573)

Synonym

Proales globulifera var. halophila Remane, 1929 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3688); Proales halophila Berzins, 1952 (ref. ID; 2018)

Descriptions

It found marine and brackish water environments. (ref. ID; 1415)

Marine and brackish water. (ref. ID; 3573)

Proales kostei Nogrady, 1989 (ref. ID; 1499 original paper) or Nogrady & Smol, 1989 (ref. ID; 2018)

Descriptions

Based on preserved specimens only, the body of the semicontracted animals is stout, rounded cylindrically and bent. The head region is distinctly offset by a neck-fold and slightly tilted ventrally. The corona is oblique, convex, ciliated uniformly on the cingulum and apical field. The fairly thick cuticula has pseudosegments and deep furrows and continues directly into the two-segmented short foot. The toes are short, bluntly pointed and triangular. Internal organization normal, the stomach shows large round cells, and carries two bent stomach glands with a narrower stalk. The ovovitellarium is U-shaped ventrally and has eight large nuclei. Intestine indistinct. The trophy are virgate and serve as the principal taxonomic distinguishing mark. The rami are broad and club-shaped, and when viewed ventrally are hollow, spoon-like. The inner edges of both halves of the rami show a semicircular serrated lamella. The manubria are club-shaped, slightly curved, with an alula on the outside. On treatment with hypochlorite two ribs can be seen when viewed laterally. The fulcrum is characteristically double, with a short, straight stalk that is scalloped and a broad fan-shaped and also scalloped distal end. The double fulcrum can best be observed when the trophi are tilted distally. Fulcrum is broad laterally. The unci are long, curved, and consist of five teeth, the first three of which are terminally broadened lances. The resting egg seen was smooth, irregular ovoid, with an outer shell separated by a clear space from the smaller inner shell, that was filled with a granular mass. The resting egg was resistant to treatment with sodium hypochlorite (ref. ID; 1499)

Etymology

This species is dedicated to Dr. Walter Koste, Quackenbruck, German Federal Republic, in appreciation of many years of friendship and cooperation with the senior author. (ref. ID; 1499)

Measurements

Body long 280-320; body width 130-160; toes 10-30; trophi length total 27; manubrium 25; fulcrum 10; unci 20. Resting egg outer shell 175x124; inner shell 130x80 µm. (ref. ID; 1499)

Proales laurentinus Jennings, 1896 (ref. ID; 3295)

See

Pleurotrocha petromyzon (ref. ID; 1345, 3245, 3688)

Descriptions

This is the form described in Bulletin of the Michigan Fish Commission, No.3, 1894, as Notops laurentinus. The tendency has been in the past few years to consider the genus Notops as typically loricate, though belonging to an illoricate family. Of the species described in Hudson and Gosse's Monograph, one is loricate while the other two are not, and the other two genera of this family - Hydatina and Rhinops- are distinctly illoricate. But Notops minor Rousselet, (Journal of the Quekett Microscopical Club, 1892, Series 2, Vol.4, p.359), and Notops pygmaeus Calman, (Annals of Scottish Natural History, Oct. 1892, p.240), are loricate forms, and show the general tendency to consider this a loricate group. As my species, besides being illoricate, shows undoubted Notommatoid characteristics in together respects, as was noted in my description, it should probably be transferred to another genus. Mr. Charles Rousselet, of London, England has recently discovered on Hertford Heath a species very similar to this, but of a more slender form, showing still farther the relationship with the Notommatadae. His species could not possibly be considered a Notops, and as the two undoubtedly belong together I have adopted the suggestion and ill defined genus Proales. (ref. ID; 3295)

Proales longidactyla Edmondson, 1948 (ref. ID; 2018, 2280, 3196 original paper)

Synonym

Lecane clara (Bryce) (ref. ID; 2018)

Descriptions

The body is subcylindrical, depressed, about a third as wide as long. The head is set off from the rest of the body by a definite constriction, while the short, conical foot is jointed on very broadly. The corona is oblique and shorter than the head; its ciliation seems to stop just behind the mouth. The toes are about a third as long as the total length of the body, slightly constricted in the proximal third, and tapering distally to very fine points. The mastax is massive. The fulcrum is short, slightly tapering in lateral view, and is set at an acute angle with the axis of the manubria. The triangular rami are slightly asymmetric, with rather broad alulae. The unci are symmetrical, provided with three teeth connected by a thin plate; the dorsal tooth is massive, the ventral one merely a slender rod, and the middle one of intermediate size. Both manubria are long and recurved, with a wide dorsal plate. The two epipharyngeal pieces consist each of two slender rods jointed at on end and connected near the other end by a short transverse rod. (ref. ID; 3196)

Comments

The specimens differ in several particulars from the animal described by Edmondson: the head is longer, there are a number of longitudinal folds round the body, the toes are shorter with their distal points recurved, and in dorsal view the animal is somewhat bdelloidal in appearance. In trophi and other details the animals are identical. It should be noted that Edmondson's specimens came from the psammon. (ref. ID; 2280)

Proales longidactyla is clearly distinguished from all other members of the genus by the great length of the toes and by the details of the trophi, particularly by the aberrant unci. The several specimens seen were collected at Grapevine Point and Deer Point beaches on July 14 and August 14, 1942, respectively. At both beaches, it occurred in samples taken 20 cm. from the shoreline, 1 cm. deep in the sand. The samples were treated with a saturated solution of menthol before preservation. This treatment caused some of the specimens to be almost completely extended. (ref. ID; 3196)

Measurements

Total length of animal 146; head 41; toes 20 µm. (ref. ID; 2280)

Total length of body (partly contracted) 114; width of body 44; length of toes 39; length of mastax 34; length of fulcrum 7; length of manubria 28 µm. (ref. ID; 3196)

Proales minima (Montet, 1915) (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2266, 3036, 3245, 3688) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 3413)

Synonym

Pleurotrocha minima Montet, 1915 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Proales minima Weber & Montet, 1918 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3688); Proales psammophila Neizwestonowa-Shadina, 1935 (ref. ID; 3036) or Neiswestnowa-Shadina, 1935 (ref. ID; 3688)

Descriptions

This tiny, very mobile animal was found on the bottom substrate in many lakes of the Aneboda district. The oblong, nearly quadrangular body can, by an effort, assume a slightly longer and narrower shape by contraction. Since, however, the cuticula is stiff enough to resemble a lorica, the organism retains its definite form. The head is large and broad, and by contraction can be drawn into the anterior part of the body. The foot consists of three slender joints, which by contraction can be drawn into the trunk as far as the toes. The trophi is very delicately built. In the specimens from Smaland I have always observed two red eye pigments, which are not mentioned in the descriptions of Montet and Harring & Myers. There is always a projection on the dorsal side of the basal foot joint. The drawing by Montet shows such a projection on the posterior end of the body, but not on the basal foot joint. That by Harring & Myers shows no projection at all. My animals have also, although less pronounced, an enlargement on the dorsal side of the middle joint of the foot. (ref. ID; 3036)

The body is short, saccate and very stout; its greatest width is nearly equal to half the length of the body proper. The integument is very delicate and flexible, but the outline remains virtually unchanged. The entire body is very hyaline. The head is short, broad, and truncate anteriorly; its length is about one half the greatest width of the body. It is separated from the abdomen by a well defined constriction immediately behind the mastax. The abdomen is ovate in outline and ends posteriorly in a short tail. The foot is two-jointed, long and slender; the basal joint is only half the length of the terminal joint and somewhat larger in diameter. The toes are long and very slender; they are nearly cylindrical for one half their length, and from there taper gradually to long, needle-like points; their length is one fifth of the total length. The dorsal and lateral antennae are minute setigerous papillae in the normal positions. The corona is slightly oblique; the marginal wreath has laterally two auricle-like tufts of strong cilia for propulsion through the water. The apical plate is small and unciliated; the buccal field is covered with a closely set, short cilia. The mouth is near the ventral edge of the corona. The mastax is closely related to the malleate type, but appears to have a weak piston, attached to the ventral wall and not to the fulcrum. The incus is nearly straight; the rami are broadly triangular and crenate on their inner margins; the basal apophysis is very large and projects above the general surface of the rami. The fulcrum is very short and all but rudimentary. The right uncus has five, and the left four teeth; the ventral tooth is large and slightly clubbed at the tip, while the remaining teeth are much smaller and more slender. The manubrium is unusual in form, as only the central cell, or stem, is developed; there is no trace of the lateral, usually lamellar cells; it tapers from the base to near mid-length and ends in a slender, rod-like distal portion, slightly incurved at the tip. The epipharynx consists of two fairly large, triangular plates, imbedded in the anterior walls of the mastax, above the basal apophysis of the rami and immediately in front of the unci. The oesophagus is relatively short and slender. The gastric glands are small and rounded. There is no distinct separation between the stomach and intestine. The ovary and bladder are normal. The foot glands are very minute and probably not functional. The ganglion is fairly large and saccate. A rudimentary sac is fused to the posterior end of the ganglion; the duct is present, but does not reach the anterior surface of the head. There is no eyespot. (ref. ID; 3245)

Type locality

It was found by Montet in moss that had been kept for months. (ref. ID; 3245)

Measurements

  • Extended animals: Total length 70-85; length of trunk 35-37; length of foot 18-19; length of basal foot joint 6; length of middle foot joint 5; length of distal foot joint 7; length of trophi 13-15; width of trophi 10-12; length of toes 15-17; width of trunk 36-42 µm. (ref. ID; 3036)
  • Contracted animals: Total length 66-71; width of trunk 32-37 µm. (ref. ID; 3036)

    Total length 80-100; toes 12-18; trophi 12 long, 10 µm wide. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Proales namibiensis Koste & Brain, 1991 (ref. ID; 1469 original paper)

    See

    Lecane hastata (ref. ID; 2016)

    Descriptions

    The body has its greatest width in the middle and is arched dorsally. The head is long, broad and truncate anteriorly. It is separated by a well-defined double fold immediately behind the mastax. The foot is two-jointed, with the basal joint lying under the almost sickle-shaped projection of the caudal dorsal plate of the lorica. The terminal, short foot joint is trapezoidal from all aspects. The toes are moderately curved towards the ventral side and relatively long. Each has a bulbous enlargement near the posterior end and terminates in a long slender, acutely pointed claw. The integument is rigid. In dorsal view there is a triangular plate with a short keel in front of a caudal depression of the lorica. In lateral view there are furrows on each side between cuticular plates. The oblique corona is without projecting lips. The mastax is spherical. The trophi have a structure related to malleate type. The fulcrum is short. The rami are roughly triangular; two acutely pointed alulae are present with no visible denticulation on their inner edges. Each uncus has four teeth. The manubria are broad and each has three lamellar cells with the largest of these at the inner edge and terminal end of the ramus. The oesophagus is moderately long. The large gastric glands are almost dumbell-shaped in dorsal view, but in lateral view are mostly triangular and compressed. There is a faint division between the cellular stomach and the intestine. The vitellarium is normal for the genus, and the circular blander is variable size. The foot glands are ballon-shaped, and there is a small reservoir in the terminal foot joint. The ganglion is saccate. From the middle of the dorsal caudal part a nerve fibre runs to the papilla of the dorsal antenna. No retrocerebral sac is visible, nor could a lateral antenna be observed. An eye-spot, present in the living animals, seems to have been bleached out by the formalin. When contracted, P. namibiensis looks superficially similar to a Lecane, but representatives of the genera may be distinguished by the fact that the foot segments in Proales are freely movable; in Lecane, the first foot segment is united with the caudal ventral plate. Concerning the trophi, the Proales fulcrum is short and board-shaped, while in Lecane it is comparatively long. (ref. ID; 1469)

    Etymology

    The species name namibiensis is derived from the name 'Namib', the desert where the spring occurs. (ref. ID; 1469)

    Measurements

    Total length 125-144 µm; toes 33-36 µm, fulcrum 8 µm; greatest ramus width 12 µm; terminal foot joint 20 µm. (ref. ID; 1469)

    Proales oculata Tzschaschel, 1979 (ref. ID; 3130 original paper) or 1978 (ref. ID; 2018), Tzsaschel (ref. ID; 1415)

    Descriptions

    It found marine and brackish water environments. (ref. ID; 1415)

    Proales paguri Thane-Fenchel, 1966 (ref. ID; 2018, 2710 original paper)

    Descriptions

    Proales paguri is elongated. It has one circular red eye. The foot is rather long with the cuticle ringed into five joints, the middle joint being much shorter than the remaining four. The toes are long, measuring 31-34 µm. The pedal glands are unusually large, and adaptation to parasitism which is also found in Proales daphnicola Thompson. When the animal is contracted and seen from the dorsal side, the glands give the impression of being divided into two parts with a narrow dorso-ventral connection. When the animal is stretched, however, the glands appear normal. The ducts have two swellings and open near the tip of the toes. The mastax is of the typical type found in the Proalinae. The unci carry five teeth. The manubrii are 20 µm long. They are fenestrated, twisted and delicate. The rami are also fenestrated and of about half the length of the fulcrum which is slender and somewhat enlarged in the distal end. The rami resemble those of Proales commutata Althaus, but the two species cannot be confused due to the shape of the foot and the number of teeth on the uncus. The epipharynx is bifurcated and very prominent. A retrocerebral sack is present, and the subcerebral glands are bean-shaped. The oesophagus is ciliated and possesses a swelling. The stomach is sacculated. The protonephridia are weakly developed, probably an adaptation to the marine biotope. The vitellarium is large and shaped like a butterfly; it contains eight cells. The ovarium is small and difficult to observe in living specimens, whereas it is easily observed in stained specimens. The dorsal antenna was not seen. The lateral antennae, each consisting of one flagellum, are situated between the trunk and the foot. (ref. ID; 2710)
  • Male: Males were not observed. (ref. ID; 2710)

    Comments

    One of the characteristics of Proales paguri is that nearly all specimens possess light-refracting bodies below the cuticle. Such bodies have also been found in Proales globulifera (Hauer, 1921) and in Proales halophila (Remane, 1929). In these species, however, the bodies are distributed in distinct groups, whereas they seem to be randomly distributed in P. paguri. Due to the morphology of the mastax, the five-ringed foot, the very large pedal glands, and the habitat, P. paguri cannot be confused with any other species of Proales. (ref. ID; 2710)

    Measurements

    It measures 190-231 µm in length and 62-81 µm width (average length 207 µm). (ref. ID; 2710)

    Proales parasita (Ehrenberg, 1838) (ref. ID; 1345, 1488, 2018, 2757, 3181, 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 2933)

    Synonym

    Notommata parasita Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 1345, 1488, 2018, 2757, 3181, 3688); Proales parasita Rousselet, 1911 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3688)

    Measurements

    Length 162; toes 12 µm. (ref. ID; 3181)

    Proales parasita Hudson & Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 3181)

    See

    Ascomorpha volvocicola (ref. ID; 2276), Hertwigella volvocicola (ref. ID; 1345, 3688)

    Comments

    The animal described by Hudson & Gosse as P. parasita is Ascomorpha volvocicola (Plate) as pointed out by Rousselet and Harring & Myers. (ref. ID; 3181)

    Proales pejleri (ref. ID; 1472 original paper)

    Descriptions

    From preserved and semicontracted samples: Body stout, spindle-shaped, with distinctly offset foot. Head region short and broad, separated from the abdomen by a constriction. Corona slightly oblique. Foot stout, one third the length of the body, two-segmented. Toes conical, short and stout, bluntly pointed. Stomach with two large gastric glands. Ovovitellarium large, U-shaped, with eight nuclei. The trophi are robust and malleate. Rami broad, more or less horseshoe-shaped, and provided with a distinct spine-like dorsal alula. Fulcrum relatively short, the proximal half is a straight stalk, the distal half is enlarged with rounded end. Fulcrum very broad laterally and terminally crenulated unci long and slightly curved. The right uncus has six teeth, the left one generally displays 5, sometimes 6 teeth. The first three teeth are clubbed, gradually decreasing in size and followed by three (or two) linear teeth. First tooth with four to five pre-uncinal teeth. Manubria more or less broadly triangular and short-stalked; the ventral angles downwardly curved. This species is similar to P. daphnicola (Thompson) but is smaller and has different trophi. The principal distinguishing mark is the spine-like alulae on the dorsal side of the rami. (ref. ID; 1472)

    Etymology

    This species is dedicated to Prof. Dr Birger Pejler, Institute of Limnology, University of Uppsala. (ref. ID; 1472)

    Measurements

    Length 90-230; width 50-105; height 42-100; toes 10-15; ramus 49; fulcrum 16; manubrium 23; uncus 19 µm. (ref. ID; 1472)

    Proales pugio (ref. ID; 1807, 2018)

    Descriptions

    The body is colorless, tapering uniformly towards the toes, with no distinct foot region. The head is offset by a shallow neck constriction. The corona consists of a large buccal area with a weak trochus. In the somewhat contracted and curved swimming position, a small rostrum appears. The integument is very soft, somewhat creased and pseudosegmented. The indistinct foot is broad, carrying a tail or papilla which appears between the toes when viewed dorsally. The toes are very characteristic, large, broad, dagger-like (pugio=dagger) tapering to a blunt point, somewhat bent toward the ventral side and movable. In the swimming position they are at a right angle to the bent body. The body and toes straighten out in the creeping-feeding position. The dorsal antenna is conspicuous on a raised papilla in the normal position. There is no retro-cerebral organ. The single red eyespot is on the dorso posterior edge of the cervical ganglion, and occupies the mid-line, i.e. is not laterally displaced as in many species of this large genus. The mastax is small, malleate. Rami very small, triangular, fulcrum straight, ending in a knob, flat. Manubria gently curved with characteristic alulae at the joint with the uncus. The unci are flat, semicircular with six large teeth and probably some very small ones. The oesophagus is long and slender, the stomach yellowish, thick-walled, cubic, and shows no cellular structure. Two clear stomach glands. The intestine is well separated, undulate and tapering toward the dorsal anus. The ovary is large with eight nuclei, the vitellarium long and narrow, tapering toward the cloaca. Two large foot glands. The amictic eggs are bean-shaped and are carried ventrally at the end of the foot. The animals are lively and swim well. This species is similar to the halophilic P. similis but is smaller, has much larger toes and different trophi. The papilla between the toes is reminiscent of P. fallaciosa, but the centered eyespot, the alulae on the manubria, absence eyespot, the alulae on the manubria, absence of auricles and the much smaller size are distinctive, in addition to the large toes. The species contracts only slightly on preservation and is readily identification in that state. (ref. ID; 1807)
  • Male: Male unknown. (ref. ID; 1807)

    Measurements

    Body and foot long 90-120; corona diameter 35-40; toes 15-25; trophi 12x15, uncus 10 µm. (ref. ID; 1807)

    Proales reinhardti(i) Ehrenberg, 1934 (ref. ID; 1345, 1415), reinhardti (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 2018, 2601, 3245, 3688) or 1833 (ref. ID; 1419) reported year? (ref. ID; 3573)

    Synonym

    Diops marina Bergendal, 1892 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245, 3688); Distemma marinum Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 1419, 3688); Endesma marinum Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 3688); Furcularia reinhardti Ehrenberg, 1833 (ref. ID; 1419) or 1834 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3245, 3688); Furcularia succulata Lamarck, 1816 (ref. ID; 3688); Mytilina poecilops Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245); Mytilina producta Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1419, 3245, 3688); Mytilina tavina Hudson, 1886 (ref. ID; 1419) or Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 3245, 3688); Mytilina teresa Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245, 3688); Notommata reinhardti Hudson & Gosse, 1889 (ref. ID; 1419, 3245, 3688); Notommata theodora Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 1419, 3245) or 1889 (ref. ID; 3688); Pleurotrocha reinhardti von Hofsten, 1912 (ref. ID; 1345, 1419, 3245, 3688); Proales reinhardti Harring & Myers, 1924 (ref. ID; 1419, 2018); Vorticella succolata O.F. Muller, 1786 (ref. ID; 3688)

    Descriptions

    The pedal glands are very long, and open into the toes by fine ducts. (ref. ID; 1419)

    The body is long, transparent, and spindle shaped. The lorica is very flexible and the animal is able to flex and bend at almost any point. The head is separated from the body by a distinct transverse fold. The abdomen tapers gradually to the foot which is two jointed and very long. The basal joint of the foot is short and the terminal joint is very slender and long. The foot is contractile and can be completely withdrawn into the body. The toes are slender and long and taper to a point. A distinct dorsal antenna is present on the head and two lateral antennae are situated near the base of the tail. Two small eyes are present in the apical field. The trophi are typical of the genus with a short fulcrum. The rami are strong and blunt, and the unci have for clubbed teeth. The manubria are long and curved posteriorly. The stomach and intestine are not clearly separated. The gastric glands have eight nuclei; and the foot glands are extremely long and extend into the body. This species has been reported from marine and brackish tide pools in the United States (Harring & Myers 1924) and from among algae in the sea and landlocked fjords in Scandinavia (Berzins 1952; von Hofsten 1912; Eriksen 1968). Jose de Paggi and Koste (1984) have reported this species recently from the Antarctic. (ref. ID; 2601)

    The body is elongate, slender and spindle-shaped; its greatest width is less than one fourth of the total length. The integument is very flexible and the outline is constantly changing. The entire body is very transparent. There is a well marked transverse folds separating the head and abdomen. The head segment is subsquare; its length is slightly greater than the width. The abdomen increases rather rapidly in width for about one-third of its length; from this point it tapers gradually to the tail, which is prominent and rounded posteriorly. The foot is two-jointed and very long; the basal joint is short and stout, about one-third of the length of the terminal joint, which is very slender; the length of the foot is one fourth of the total length. It is very contractile and may be completely telescoped within the body. The toes are long and slender and have a characteristic lanceolate form; their length is one twelfth of the total length. The dorsal antenna is in the normal position; the lateral antennae are near the base of the tail. The corona is slightly oblique. The marginal wreath has laterally two strongly ciliated, auricle-like areas; the apical plate is unciliated and fairly large; the buccal field is covered with short, close-set cilia. The mouth is near the ventral edge of the corona. The mastax is of the typical form of the genus. The fulcrum is short, slender and tapering, its extreme end curving slightly forward. The rami are broadly triangular with a large basal apophysis and the inner margins have blunt, knoblike, interlocking teeth. The left uncus has a large ventral tooth, clubbed at the tip; this is followed by three linear teeth of nearly equal length; the basal plate is subsquare. The right uncus has a large ventral, clubbed tooth, followed by a much more slender, minutely clubbed tooth and three linear teeth; the basal plate is sub-triangular. The manubria are very long and strongly curved posteriorly, so that the ends are directed inwards and towards the dorsal side of the mastax; the two lateral cells are small, so that three fourths of the entire length of the manubrium belongs to the central cell only. The epipharynx consists of two thin curved plates, imbedded in the walls of the mastax at the sides of the mouth. There are indications of the presence of a rudimentary piston, attached to the ventral wall of the mastax, but not to the fulcrum. The oesophagus is moderately long and slender. The stomach and intestine are not separated by a constriction. The gastric glands, ovary and bladder are normal. The foot glands are excessively long, the gland itself being within the body and the duct as long as the foot. The ganglion is moderately large and saccate. The eyespot is near the anterior margin; it is double, composed of two triangular pigment cells. No retrocerebral organ is present. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Marine and brackish water. (ref. ID; 3573)

    Comments

    It may be questioned whether Furcularia gammari Plate should be considered a synonym of this species; with the exception of the length of the foot there is complete agreement in everything else, and, as the foot of Proales reinhardti is highly contractile, it is not unlikely that Plate may have had a specimen of this species before him. According to von Hofsten Distyla weissei Eichwald is "undoubtedly" a synonym of P. reinhardti; we are unable to see a single character in Eichwald's description or figures that belongs unmistakably to this species and the extrapolation required is far too great to make it advisable to displace the generic name Proales by Distyla. If a guessing contest is to be admitted, Endesma Ehrenberg has a far better claim to consideration, but many naturalists will question the wisdom of assigning to any animal characteristics is direct opposition to those claimed for it by the original discoverer. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Measurements

    Total length 238-250; trophi 32; toes 25 µm. (ref. ID; 2601)

    Total length 250-300; toes 20-25; trophi 32 µm. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Proales similis de Beauchamp, 1908 (ref. ID; 1345, 3245, 3688) or 1907 (ref. ID; 2018) reported year? (ref. ID; 7859), similis similis de Beauchamp, 1908 (ref. ID; 2886)

    Synonym

    Pleurotrocha similis von Hofsten, 1912 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3688)

    Descriptions

    The body is elongate, slender and fusiform; its greatest width is one-fifth of the total length. The integument is very soft and flexible, and the outline is somewhat variable on account of the contractility of the animal. It is a very transparent species. The length of the head segment is very slightly greater than its width and a little less than the greatest width of the body. The abdomen is separated from the head by a slight transverse fold and increase slightly in width for one half its length; from this point it tapers gradually to the foot, ending in a minute tail, projecting but very slightly beyond the general outline of the body. The foot is relatively long, about one sixth the total length, slightly compressed dorso-ventrally and tapering towards the posterior end; it is without any joints, but is frequently wrinkled, the toes are moderately long, robust and conical; near mid-length they taper a little more rapidly and end is acute points; their length is about one twentieth of the total length. The dorsal antenna is a small setigerous papilla in the normal position the lateral antennae are unusually far forward and only a short distance beyond mid-length of the body. The corona is slightly oblique and has laterally two strongly ciliated, auricle-like areas. The apical plate is unciliated and rather small; the buccal field is covered with short, closely set cilia. The mouth is near the ventral edge of the corona. The mastax is intermediate between the virgate and the malleate type. The fulcrum is short, broad at the base and tapers gradually towards the slightly fan-shaped ventral end. The rami are roughly triangular and have a large basal apophysis; the alulae are two acutely pointed cones at the external angles. No denticulations are present on the inner edges of the rami. The unci have each six teeth; the last two on the dorsal margin are partly fused. The manubria are broad and lamellar at the base, ending in a slender posterior section. The epipharnyx consists of two long, slender, slightly curved rods imbedded in the anterior walls of the mastax at the sides of the mouth. The piston is small and attached to the ventral wall of the mastax. The oesophagus is moderately long and slender. The gastric glands are large, somewhat triangular and strongly compressed. There is no distinct separation between the stomach and intestine. The ovary and bladder are normal. The foot glands are rather small and pyriform; at the base of the toes there is a minute mucus reservoir. The ganglion is moderately large and saccate. The retrocerebral sac is small and ductless. The large eyespot is at the posterior end of the ganglion. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Type locality

    Proales similis was described by De Beauchamp from material collected in brackish tidepools at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Basses-Pyrenees, France. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Measurements

    Total length of stretched but preserved females 133-150; toes 13; trophi 15-20 µm. (ref. ID; 2886)

    Total length 140-180; toes 15-20; trophi 24 wide, 15 µm long. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Proales sordida Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 2283, 2932, 3688) reported year? (ref. ID; 2890)

    See

    Proales fallaciosa (ref. ID; 3271)

    Synonym

    Pleurotrocha sordida Harring, 1913 (ref. ID; 1345, 2018, 3688)

    Comments

    Gosse's description is not very complete, but in conjunction with his figures there is little room for doubt as to the animal he named. (ref. ID; 2283)

    Measurements

    Length of body 194; length of toes 10 µm. (ref. ID; 2283)

    Proales syltensis Tzsachaschel, 1979 (ref. ID; 3130 original paper) or 1978 (ref. ID; 2018), Tzsaschel (ref. ID; 1415)

    Descriptions

    It found marine and brackish water environments. See P. fleetensis. (ref. ID; 1415)

    Proales theodora (Gosse, 1887) (ref. ID; 1345, 1450, 2018, 2640, 2841, 2920, 3208, 3688)

    Synonym

    Furcularia gammari Plate, 1886 (ref. ID; 3688); Furcularia reinhardti Beauchamp, 1907 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Hauer, 1921 (ref. ID; 1345); Furcularia reinhardti Kozar, 1914 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Lauterborn, 1904/1917 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Levander, 1894 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920, 3688); Furcularia reinhardti Murray, 1906 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Sachse, 1914 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Furcularia reinhardti Voigt, 1904 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920); Notommata theodora Gosse, 1887 (ref. ID; 2018, 2920, 3208, 3688); Pleurotrocha reinhardti Manfredi, 1927 (ref. ID; 1345, 2920, 3688); ?Proales longipes Remane, 1929 (ref. ID; 2018); Proales longipes calcarata Wulfert, 1938 (ref. ID; 3688); Proales theodora Hauer, 1938 (ref. ID; 2018)

    Comments

    This species closely resembles the marine species Proales reinhardti (Ehr.) both in its more obvious characteristics- viz. double frontal eyespot and long, flexible, telescopic foot- and also in its general habits and movement. This probably accounts for the surprisingly large number of records of P. reinhardti from freshwater, all of which must now be regarded as doubtful in view of the differences revealed on closer study of the two species. P. theodora differs from P. reinhardti principally in the structure of the trophi, which are very much more robust and complex in the former species than in the latter. It was described by Hauer (1938) from torrenticolous material and identified by him with Notommata theodora Gosse (which recorded from a mill pond). In the same year K. Wulfert (1938) published a description of what is undoubtedly the same species, under the name Proales longipes var. calcarata. (ref. ID; 3208)

    Proales wernecki (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 1345, 3688) reported author and year? (ref. ID; 1519), werneckii (Ehrenberg, 1834) (ref. ID; 2018, 2757, 3245, 3271)

    Synonym

    Copeus wernecki Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688); Copeus werneckii Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3271); Cyclops lupula Vaucher, 1803 (ref. ID; 1345, 3245, 3688); Notommata wernecki Ehrenberg, 1834 (ref. ID; 1345, 3688); Notommata werneckii Ehrenberg, 1834 (ref. ID; 2018, 2757, 3245, 3271); Proales wernecki Hudson & Gosse, 1889 (ref. ID; 1345); Proales werneckii Hudson & Gosse, 1886 (ref. ID; 2018, 3245, 3271)

    Descriptions

    The body of the free-swimming female is elongate, spindle-shaped and very slender, its greatest width is about one sixth of the total length. The integument is very flexible and the outline constantly changing. The body is very transparent. The head segment is considerably longer than wide; it is rounded anteriorly, and this portion is separated from the head proper by a slight transverse fold. This corresponds to the rostrum of the forcipate Notommatids. There is no distinct neck. The abdomen is nearly cylindric in its anterior half; from there is tapers gradually to an inconspicuous tail. The foot is short and relatively slender, continuing the general spindle-shaped outline of the body; it has two joints of nearly equal length. The toes are moderately long, about one twelfth of the total length, slender, conical and slightly decurved. The dorsal as antenna is a small setigerous papilla in the normal position; the lateral antennae have not been observed. The corona is oblique and has two strongly ciliated areas corresponding to the auricles of other Notommatids. The ciliation of the buccal field does not extend beyond the mouth; the circumapical band has disappeared, as in the forcipate Notommatids. The mastax is closely related to the malleate type. The incus is straight; on the upper side of the fulcrum is a broad rib, which curves around the end and continues for a very short distance on the lower side; the web is thin and lamellar. The rami are triangular and decurved at their posterior ends; the inner edges do not come into contact. The unci have only a single tooth, expanded into a triangular basal plate, into which it gradually merges without quite reaching the malleus; this has a very small basal plate and a rod-shaped main stem, which at the posterior end is curved diagonally forwards and inwards. The epipharynx consists of two sigmoid plates with a slender rib on the lower edge; they are imbedded in the walls of the mastax near the base of the rami. The piston seems to be very weak; it is attached to the anterior wall of the mastax and not to the fulcrum. Two huge, vacuolate salivary glands, each nearly as large as the mastax itself, are attached to it by a short, narrow neck. The oesophagus is very long and slender. The gastric glands are large and filled with highly refractive globules. The stomach is not separated from the intestine. The ovary of the free-swimming female is normal. The ganglion is very large and saccate. A retrocerebral sac appears to be present, but no duct has been observed. The eyespot is at the posterior end of the ganglion. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Comments

    Proales werneckii is parasitic in galls on various species of Vaucheria. The free-swimming young, to which the description exclusively refers, probably enters the Vaucheria-filament through the point, and the alga forms a gall around it. The rotifer feeds on the protoplasm within reach, and when mature begins to lay eggs; as many as 50-60, may be laid by a single individual. Simultaneously the body swells enormously, becoming almost spherical; this is caused principally by the enlargement of the stomach, which is probably the result of the accumulation of waste materials. Apparently no discharge of faecal matter takes place in the mature animal. Rothert has made a very complete study of Proales werneckii, describing the rotifer in Zoologische Jahrbucher, and the formation of the galls in Jahrbucher f. wissenshaftliche Botanik. We give a short summary of his conclusions. The parasite appears to enter the thallus by way of the growing point, where the cell-wall is thin and readily pierced by the trophi; the galls are formed only where the parasite is present. When the point of the growing thallus is injured, it stars a new growth at the base of the gall, giving to this the appearance of a lateral branch. The "cap" of the gall is structurally different from the walls. The rotifer finally eats up the entire contents, both protoplasm and chromatophores, and the gall dies; at the same time the cap falls off and the young animals find their way out. After the death of the gall a new supply of protoplasm will restore the injured section to normal life. The female is unable to complete its development outside of the gall. (ref. ID; 3245)

    Measurements

    Total length 140-175; toes 11-14; trophi 18 wide, 12 µm long. (ref. ID; 3245)