Integrative studies on three new freshwater species (Ciliophora, Pleurostomatida) discovered in northern China.

UNLABELLED

The morphology and molecular phylogeny of freshwater pleurostomatid ciliates are insufficiently explored. In the present study, we investigated three new species discovered in Lake Weishan and its vicinity, northern China, using standard alpha-taxonomic methods. sp. nov. is characterized by a lateral fossa (groove) in the posterior body portion, four macronuclear nodules, contractile vacuoles distributed along the dorsal margin, and 4-6 left and 44-50 right somatic kineties. sp. nov. differs from congeners by having 4-14 macronuclear nodules, numerous contractile vacuoles scattered throughout the cytoplasm, and 22-31 left and 35-42 right somatic kineties. sp. nov. is characterized by two ellipsoidal macronuclear nodules, three ventral contractile vacuoles, and about four left and 31-35 right somatic kineties. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences indicate that the family Amphileptidae might be monophyletic while the genus is paraphyletic, as robustly groups with sp. Although deep phylogenetic relationships of amphileptids are poorly resolved, multiple well-delimited species groups are recognizable within the genus .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-022-00143-0.