Trichodina marplatensis sp. n. (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) from combjelly, Mnemiopsis mccraydii (Mayer, 1900) in Argentine Sea

MARTORELLI, SR; MARCOTEGUI, P.; ALDA, P.

ACTA PROTOZOOLOGICA

JAGIELLONIAN UNIV

Año: 2008 vol. 47 p. 257 - 261

0065-1583

A new species of trichodinid, Trichodina marplatensis sp. n., found on the comb plates of the coastal ctenophore Mnemiopsis mccradyi is described. Only three species were previously reported from coelenterates, i.e., Trichodina pediculus, T. zambeziensis and T. ctenophorii. This new ciliate is compared with other similar congeners including T. ctenophorii because it was reported from the same host. T. marplatensis differs from T. ctenophorii by having denticles with broad club-shaped blades and wide S-shaped rays, rather than falcate blades and thin, straight rays. The denticles of T. marplatensis are not similarly shaped to those of other described trichodinids. The new species is the first reported from a planktonic host in the Argentine Sea and the second species found associated with ctenophores.