Contribution à la connaissance des trachelocercia (Ciliophora, karyorelictea): infraciliature, morphométrie

Eight species of mesopsammic marine ciliates, collected on the mediterranean beaches of Sète or in the Thau pond, have been studied in order to specify their morphology and morphometry. Using new techniques of fixation and protargol impregnation acquired in recent years, the infraciliature of Karyorelictea ciliates of Trachelocercia sub. class were studied : Trachelolophos binucleatus nov. sp., Trachelolophos schulzei nov. comb., Trachelolophos setensis, Trachelolophos gigas, Tracheloraphis grisea, Tracheloraphis flexuosa, Tracheloraphis longicollis and Kovalevaia sulcata. For some of these species, several populations have been compared in order to know the intraspecific variation. A critical analysis attempts to establish the taxonomic value of the infraciliature structures and of the morphometric data. The problem of the morphogenesis and the feeding behaviour of theses ciliates have been called to mind.