A novel Tetrahymena sp. with unusual membrane lipid composition, with special reference to iso fatty acyl chains.

A novel Tetrahymena sp. is similar in appearance to four classical strains (WH-14, GL, W, NT-1) of T. pyriformis except for a larger width. The phospholipid and acyl chain compositions of membranes of this novel species are significantly different from those of other strains. The Tetrahymena sp. has a much higher content of ethanolamine phosphoglyceride and a lower level of glyceroaminoethyl phosphonate. Major fatty acids of this strain are iso 15:0 and iso 17:1, which are, if present, usually minor components in the classical strains of T. pyriformis.