title: Arcella peruviana sp. nov. (Amoebozoa: Arcellinida, Arcellidae), a new species from a tropical peatland in Amazonia.
abstract: There has only been one study on the ecology of testate amoebae from Amazonian peatlands, despite Amazonia being a biodiversity hotspot of global importance. During analysis of litter samples from Aucayacu peatland, western (Peruvian) Amazonia, we discovered a testate amoeba with a distinct morphology unlike any other species reported previously. We describe a new species, Arcella peruviana, based on its distinct morphology, compare it to morphologically similar species and provide information about its ecology. This new species is characterised by a distinct cruciform aperture (diameter ranges between 12 and 17μm) which is slightly invaginated. The test is small (height 43-57μm) and polygonal in cross-section. Our discovery suggests the existence of an unknown diversity of testate amoebae in Amazonia. The absence of the new Arcella species in more intensively-sampled regions supports the view that protists have restricted distributions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Monitoring, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, PL-61 680 Poznań, Poland; Department of Biogeography and Palaeoecology, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61 680 Poznań, Poland; Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: m.reczuga@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Monika K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Reczuga
authors.affiliation: School of Geography, University of Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Graeme T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Swindles
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Grewling
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Monitoring, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, PL-61 680 Poznań, Poland; Department of Biogeography and Palaeoecology, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61 680 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lamentowicz
mesh_terms: D056894:Amoebozoa / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology; D017753:Ecosystem; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D010568:Peru; D013045:Species Specificity; D014329:Tropical Climate
keywords: Microbial diversity; Peatlands; Protist distribution; Rainforest; Testate amoebae; Tropics