Morphology and Infraciliature of Some Haptorid Ciliates (Protista, Ciliophora, Haptoria) in Alkaline Soil Samples of Van (Turkey), with Notes on the Ontogenesis of Enchelyodon nodosus Berger, Foissner & Adam, 1984

Authors: NACİYE GÜLKIZ ŞENLER, İSMAİL YILDIZ

Abstract: The morphology and infraciliature of 4 haptorid ciliates obtained from alkaline soil habitats in Van, Turkey, were investigated: Pseudoholophrya terricola Berger, Foissner & Adam, 1984, Paraenchelys wenzeli Foissner, 1984, Armatoenchelys geleii (Foissner, 1981), and Enchelyodon nodosus Berger, Foissner & Adam, 1984. The descriptions were based on live observations and silver impregnated specimens and morphometry. The main morphological characteristics of these species are similar to those described in the literature. However, the dorsal brush row 3 is longer than dorsal brush rows 1 and 2 in A. geleii, and E. nodosus has a long monokinetidal tail not reported previously. This is the first record of E. nodosus after the original description and also the first study on its ontogenesis. Division of E. nodosus is homothetogenic and telokinetal; it commences with a proliferation of kinetosomes in those kineties bearing the dorsal brush. All species are new for the ciliate fauna of Turkey.

Keywords: Alkaline soil, Haptorid ciliates, Pseudoholophrya terricola, Paraenchelys wenzeli, Armatoenchelys geleii, Enchelyodon nodosus, morphology, morphometry, ontogenesis

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