First Record of Two Spirostomum Species (Spirostomatidae, Heterotrichida, Heterotrichea) of Ciliates from Jindo Island in Korea

Abstract

Two Spirostomum species were collected from freshwater in Jindo Island, Korea and identified as Spirostomum ambiguum (Muller, 1786) Ehrenberg, 1835 and Spirostomum minus Roux, 1901. This study is the first known morphological record of these two species being found in Korea. The description is based on the observation of living specimens and protargol impregnated specimens. Diagnostics of Spirostomum ambiguum: body size 340- 930×45-80 μm in vivo; long and slender body with truncated posterior part; macronucleus moniliform with 7-22 nodules; cortical granules irregularly arranged 4-5 rows in between somatic kineties; 24-58 somatic kineties arranged longitudinally; adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) covered about 60-80% of body length. Diagnostics of Spirostomum minus: body size 500-730×35-45 μm in vivo; long and slender body with truncated posterior part; macronucleus moniliform with 11-16 nodules; micronucleus 20-37 oval shape; cortical granules regularly arranged 3-4 rows in between somatic kineties; 20-30 somatic kineties arranged longitudinally; AZM covered about 40-50% of body length with 120-150 adoral membranelles.