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Description of Eurystoma sinicum n. gen., n. sp., with establishment of a new family Eurystomatidae n. fam. (Protista, Ciliophora, Scuticociliatia) and analyses of its phylogeny inferred from sequences of small subunit rRNA gene

¹ Laboratory of Protozoology, Ocean University of China;
² North Carolina Central University;
³ King Saud University

⁴ E-mail: wsong{at}ouc.edu.cn

Recently, an undescribed marine ciliate was isolated from China. Investigation of its morphology and infraciliature revealed it as an undescribed species representing a new genus and family, Eurystoma n. gen., type of Eurystomatidae n. fam. The new family is defined by close-set, apically positioned oral membranelles and a dominant buccal field that is surrounded by an almost completely circular paroral membrane. The new genus is defined by having a small oral membranelle 1 (M1), bipartite M2, and well-developed M3; a body surface faintly sculptured with a silverline system in a quadrangular, reticulate pattern; and a cytostome located at the anterior 1/3 of a large buccal field. The type species of the new genus, E. sinicum n. sp., is a morphologically unique form that is defined mainly by the combination of a conspicuously flattened body, several caudal cilia, extremely long cilia associated with the buccal apparatus, and a contractile vacuole located subcaudally. According to phylogenetic analyses of SSU rRNA gene sequences, Eurystoma clusters with the genus Cyclidium, as a sister group to the family Pleuronematidae. The great divergence in both buccal and somatic ciliature between Eurystoma and all other known scuticociliates supports the establishment of a new family for Eurystoma.