Spumochlamys iliensis n.g. n. sp. (Testacealobosia, Microchlamyiidae) from Central Asia, with notes on the diversity of Microchlamys-like testate amoebae.
Spumochlamys iliensis n. g., n. sp. was isolated from a mineral pond in an arid, semi-desert region in Kazakhstan (Central Asia). This amoeba is covered with a plate-shaped, flexible organic spongious test. The thin membranous margin of this test extends ventrally to surround a flexible ventral aperture. In its morphological features and behaviour this amoeba is very similar to Microchlamys patella (Claparède and Lachmann, 1859) Cockerell, 1911, but differs from this species and from M. sylvatica Golemansky, Skarlato and Todorov, 1987 in the lack of an additional membrane separating the cell body from the test, a feature that can only be detected using electron microscopy. The presence of this membrane is considered to be a principal characteristic of the genus Microchlamys and family Microchlamyiidae; however, this conclusion was reached from the study of only two species. The data presented show a higher diversity of Microchlamys-like testate amoebae; we therefore suggest that the described species should be included in the family Microchlamyiidae with emendation of its diagnosis, but that a separate genus within this family should be established to accommodate it.
Kudryavtsev
Alexander
A
Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Soil Science, Saint-Petersburg State University, Universitetskaja nab., 7/9, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation. aak@ak14261.spb.edu
Hausmann
Klaus
K
D000656:Amoeba / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000469:parasitology*; D007623:Kazakhstan; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013045:Species Specificity
D012965:Sodium Chloride