Morphology and morphogenesis of the hypotrich ciliate Parentocirrus hortualis Voß, 1997, with notes on the phylogeny of Parentocirrus (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia).

The morphology, morphogenesis and molecular phylogeny of the hypotrich ciliate Parentocirrus hortualis, isolated from soil in northwestern China, was studied using live observation and protargol staining. The Chinese population closely matches the German type population although some features such as the number of macronuclear nodules (4-8 vs 5-16) and transverse cirri (4 or 5 vs 2-4) differ considerably. These differences can probably be explained, at least in part, by environmental adaptability. We also compared the ontogenetic processes in the two populations and did not find any significant differences. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA gene sequence data showed that Parentocirrus hortualis clusters with Gastrostyla steinii and Parentocirrus sp., which together form a clade with another species of Gastrostyla within the Stylonychinae. These findings suggest that Parentocirrus and Gastrostyla are closely related.

Morphology, morphogenesis and phylogeny of a new soil ciliate, Bistichella sinensis n. sp., and morphology of two oxytrichids (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia).

The living morphology, infraciliature, morphogenesis and phylogenetic position of a new soil ciliate, Bistichella sinensis n. sp. collected from Northwest of China, were investigated. The new species is characterized by an elongate-oval body, two macronuclear nodules, colourless cortical granules, three frontal and three or four buccal cirri, three frontal rows with 7-10 cirri in total, and usually-two frontoventral rows with the left one usually terminating at 90% down length of body. The main morphogenetic features of the novel species are as follows: (1) the posterior part of the parental adoral zone is renewed; (2) frontal-ventral cirral anlagen III to V each forms a frontal row, and anlagen VI to n each produces a frontoventral row; (3) marginal rows and dorsal kineties develop intrakinetally. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit ribosomal DNA reveal close relationship between Bistichella sinensis n. sp., Parabistichella, Uroleptoides, Lamtostyla, Keronopsis, Paraholosticha and Orthoamphisiella. The in vivo morphology and the infraciliature of the Chinese populations of Monomicrocaryon euglenivorum fimbricirratum and Laurentiella strenua are basically identical to previous descriptions. Improved diagnoses for M. euglenivorum and its two subspecies, as well as a redescription of a Chinese population of L. strenua are supplied.

Morphology, cell division, and phylogeny of Notohymena antarctica Foissner, 1996 and Engelmanniella mobilis (Engelmann, 1862) Foissner, 1982 (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia).

The morphogenesis of two hypotrich ciliates, Notohymena antarctica Foissner, 1996 and Engelmanniella mobilis (Engelmann, 1862) Foissner, 1982, were investigated using protargol staining. The main events of the oxytrichid Notohymena antarctica during binary fission are as follows: (1) the oral primordium of the opisthe is formed apokinetally left of transverse cirrus II/1; (2) six streaks of frontal-ventral-transverse cirral anlagen are segmented in the ordinary pattern 1: 3: 3: 3: 4: 4 from left to right, which form three frontal, four frontoventral, one buccal, three ventral, two pretransverse ventral and five transverse cirri; (3) marginal anlagen are formed intrakinetally and the right marginal anlagen develop much earlier than those on the left. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA sequence data indicate that Notohymena is monophyletic. A remarkable morphogenetic feature in E. mobilis is the mode of formation of the right marginal rows. In this paper, we clarified that the right marginal anlagen of E. mobilis are formed and develop to the right of the parental outer right marginal row, and that the grandparental (inner) right marginal row and great-grand parental (the outermost) left marginal row are resorbed. It is the first time to report a population of E. mobilis with comprehensive information, i.e. the morphology, ontogeny and molecular sequence.

Redescription, Morphogenesis, and Molecular Phylogeny of Pseudosincirra longicirrata nov. comb., With Establishment of a New Genus Pseudosincirra nov. gen. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia).

The morphology and morphogenesis of Pseudosincirra longicirrata nov. gen. and nov. comb., isolated from southern China, were investigated with living observation and protargol staining. Our population is similar to the original population in living characteristics and ciliary patterns. The main determinable morphogenetic features of P. longicirrata nov. comb. are the presence of five frontoventral-transverse cirral anlagen (FVT-anlagen) and a dorsomarginal kinety anlage. According to the origin of FVT-anlagen IV and V in proter, it can be determined that P. longicirrata nov. comb. possesses two frontoventral rows and one right marginal row. Hence, a new genus, Pseudosincirra nov. gen., is proposed, and the diagnosis of P. longicirrata nov. comb. is improved. The new genus is diagnosed as follows: adoral zone of membranelles and undulating membranes is in a Gonostomum pattern; there are three enlarged frontal cirri, one buccal cirrus, and one parabuccal cirrus; postperistomial cirrus and transverse cirri are lacking; there are two more or less long frontoventral rows and one right and two or more left marginal rows; cirri within all rows very widely spaced; dorsal kinety pattern is of Urosomoida type, that is, three dorsal kineties and one dorsomarginal kinety; and caudal cirri are present. Phylogenetic analyses based on the small subunit ribosomal (SSU rDNA) sequence data indicate that P. longicirrata nov. comb. clusters with Deviata and Perisincirra. It is considered that Pseudosincirra nov. gen. and Perisincirra paucicirrata should be assigned to the family Deviatidae; fine cirri, and cirri within all rows being relatively widely spaced, should be considered as plesiomorphies of Deviatidae; and Deviatidae is closely related to Dorsomarginalia or Strongylidium-Hemiamphisiella-Pseudouroleptus.

Redescription of Bakuella (Bakuella) marina Agamaliev and Alekperov, 1976 (Protozoa, Hypotrichia), With Notes on Its Morphology, Morphogenesis, and Molecular Phylogeny.

Because the original description of Bakuella (Bakuella) marina, type of the genus, is only based on protargol-impregnated specimens, one of the important living features, namely, the presence/absence of cortical granules, remains unknown so far. In the present work, a detailed investigation of a Chinese population of B. (Bakuella) marina is carried out using the integrated approaches, and the live morphology, ontogenesis, and molecular information of B. (Bakuella) marina are presented for the first time. The infraciliature of this population corresponds perfectly with that of the original description. The in vivo observation indicates that B. (Bakuella) marina possesses colorless cortical granules. The most prominent morphogenetic feature of B. (Bakuella) marina is that the parental adoral zone of membranelles is completely replaced by the newly formed one of the proters. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on a small subunit ribosomal gene (SSU rDNA) shows that five Bakuella species are clustered with the species from other six Urostylid genera, namely, Anteholosticha, Apobakuella, Diaxonella, Holosticha, Neobakuella, and Urostyla. The monophyletic probabilities of the family Bakuellidae, genus Bakuella, subgenus B. (Bakuella), and subgenus B. (Pseudobakuella) are rejected by the approximately unbiased test. This study further shows that the family Bakuellidae, genus Bakuella, and subgenus B. (Bakuella) are all nonmonophyletic groups. In order to establish a reasonable classification system, information on molecular and morphogenesis of more Bakuellids and its related species is urgently needed.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of two new soil ciliates, Hemiurosomoida warreni nov. spec. and Hemiurosoma clampi nov. spec. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia) from Tibet.

Two novel hypotrichous ciliates, Hemiurosomoida warreni nov. spec. and Hemiurosoma clampi nov. spec., isolated from soil in the Lhalu Wetland and Motuo Virgin Forest in Tibet, respectively, were investigated using live observation and protargol staining. Hemiurosomoida warreni nov. spec. strongly resembles the type species H. longa but can be distinguished by its body size in vivo (110-145 × 30-40 µm vs. 50-100 × 18-40 µm), number of adoral membranelles (25-38 vs. 15-22), and numbers of right (29-39 vs. 14-23) and left (26-35 vs. 13-23) marginal cirri, transverse cirri (3 vs. 4 or 5) and macronuclear nodules (4-8 vs. 2). Hemiurosoma clampi nov. spec. is characterized by its vermiform body shape, colourless cortical granules distributed in irregular rows, two macronuclear nodules, three frontal cirri, one buccal cirrus, four frontoventral cirri ranged in a line, two transverse cirri, lacking postoral ventral and pretransverse ventral cirri, and marginal rows that are not posteriorly confluent. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA gene sequences suggest that Hemiurosomoida is not monophyletic. A close relationship is revealed between Hemiurosomoida warreni nov. spec., Parakahilella macrostoma, Hemiurosoma clampi nov. spec., and the type species Hemiurosoma terricola. As expected, all these species are classified within the "non-oxytrichid Dorsomarginalia".

Morphology and phylogeny of four marine or brackish water spirotrich ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) from China, with descriptions of two new species.

In this study, we investigated the morphology and molecular phylogeny of four marine or brackish spirotrichean ciliates found in China, namely: Caryotricha sinica sp. nov., Prodiscocephalus orientalis sp. nov., P. cf. borrori, and Certesia quadrinucleata. Caryotricha sinica is characterized by its small size, seven cirral rows extending posteriorly to about 65% of the cell length, and four transverse cirri. Prodiscocephalus orientalis differs from its congeners mainly by the number of cirri in the "head" region and on the ventral side. The SSU rDNA sequence of P. cf. borrori differs from that of other population of P. borrori by ca. 40 bp. Consequently, the nominal species P. borrori is considered to be a species-complex. New data are provided for Certesia quadrinucleata. The Chinese population of C. quadrinucleata, for example, has fewer left marginal cirri than the other populations for which such data are available. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA sequence data show that the genus Caryotricha is monophyletic. All typical "discocephalids" with a discoid "head" form a strongly supported clade that is sister to the unstable uronychiids + pseudoamphisiellids clade within the Euplotia. The genus Certesia forms a sister group to the Euplotes clade, also within the Euplotia assemblage.

Alopecia in Belgian Blue crossbred calves: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia is defined as the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows. Alopecia secondary to an infectious disease or parasitic infestation is commonly seen in cattle. It can also have metabolic causes, for example in newborn calves after a disease event such as diarrhoea. In the article, the investigation of a herd problem of acquired alopecia in Belgian Blue (BB) crossbred calves is described. CASE PRESENTATION: Several BB crossbred calves had presented with moderate to severe non-pruritic alopecia in a single small herd located in Southern Germany. The referring veterinarian had ruled out infectious causes, including parasitic infection and had supplemented calves with vitamins (vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, and K3) orally. Results of the diagnostic workup at the Clinic for Ruminants are presented for three affected calves and findings from a farm visit are discussed. Because of these investigations, an additional four calves were brought to the referral clinic within the first week of life, and before onset of alopecia, in order to study the course of the condition; however, these calves never developed any signs of alopecia during their clinic stay. CONCLUSIONS: Because all other plausible differential diagnoses were ruled out during our investigation, we concluded that the documented alopecia was due to malabsorption of dietary fat and consecutive disruption of lipid metabolism leading to telogen or anagen effluvium. In this particular case, this was caused by a mixing error of milk replacer in conjunction with insufficiently tempered water. We conclude that nutritional, management or environmental factors alone can lead to moderate to severe alopecia in calves in the absence of a prior or concurrent disease event or infectious cause.

Morphology, morphogenesis and molecular phylogeny of a freshwater ciliate, Monomicrocaryon euglenivorum euglenivorum (Ciliophora, Oxytrichidae).

The morphology, morphogenesis and molecular phylogeny of the oxytrichid ciliate, Monomicrocaryon euglenivorum euglenivorum (Kahl, 1932) Foissner, 2016, isolated from freshwater in a seaside park, Guangzhou, China, were investigated. Monomicrocaryon euglenivorum euglenivorum can be recognized as follows: caudal cirri in midline of body; dorsal kinety 1 without a one-kinetid-wide gap; transverse cirri acicular or rod-shaped with a fringed distal end; right marginal row commences at level of buccal vertex or anterior to buccal vertex. The main events during binary fission are as follows: (1) the proter retains the parental adoral zone of membranelles entirely; (2) frontoventral-transverse cirral anlagen I-VI are segmented in the ordinary pattern 1:3:3:3:4:4 from left to right, which form three frontal, four frontoventral, one buccal, three postoral ventral, two pretransverse ventral and five transverse cirri, respectively; (3) dorsal morphogenesis is in the typical Oxytricha-pattern, but fragmentation of dorsal kinety 3 is indistinct; and (4) three caudal cirri are formed, one at the posterior end of each of dorsal kineties 1, 2 and 4. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA sequences showed that M. euglenivorum euglenivorum clustered with Kleinstyla dorsicirrata and Heterourosomoida lanceolata rather than with its congener M. elegans. The genus Monomicrocaryon is not monophyletic in this study; however, its monophyly is not rejected by the AU test.

Morphology, morphogenesis, and phylogeny of an Anteholosticha intermedia (Ciliophora, Urostylida) population from the United States.

A distinct population of Anteholosticha intermedia was isolated from soil in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, USA, and its morphology, morphogenesis and molecular phylogeny investigated by microscopic observations of live and protargol-prepared specimens and analyses of the sequence of small subunit (SSU) rDNA. Our population closely resembles the populations from Austria and Korea. Members of the genus Anteholosticha have been regarded as ontogenetically diverse, which is confirmed by the present work. The most noteworthy ontogenetic feature of the American population of A. intermedia is that the oral primordium in the proter appears apokinetally at the posterior end of the undulating membranes anlage at the beginning of division and then dedifferentiates midway through morphogenesis. Molecular phylogenetic analyses demonstrate, with high support, that the American population of A. intermedia is clearly distinct from congeners and branches as part of a sister lineage to the Bakuella-Urostyla clade that belongs to the major clade comprising the order Urostylida.

Morphogenesis of a saline soil ciliate Urosoma salmastra (Dragesco and Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986) Berger, 1999 with notes on the phylogeny of Urosoma (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia).

Morphogenesis in a population of Urosoma salmastra collected from saline soil in Weinan, China, was investigated using protargol staining. The main morphogenetic event that characterizes U. salmastra is the inclusion of cirrus III/2 in the formation of the frontoventra-transverse cirral anlagen. We also provide small subunit ribosomal DNA gene sequences for a population of U. salmastra and for two populations of U. emarginata. The molecular phylogeny indicates that Urosoma is not monophyletic, viz, U. emarginata branches separately from its congeners and the closest relative of U. salmastra is Oxytricha granulifera.

Morphology and phylogenetic position of the oxytrichid ciliates, Urosoma salmastra (Dragesco and Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986) Berger, 1999 and U. karinae sinense nov. sspec. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia).

The morphology and infraciliature of two hypotrichous ciliates, Urosoma salmastra and U. karinae sinense nov. sspec., were investigated for populations collected from the surface of intertidal gravel in the Huguang Mangrove Forest, Zhanjiang, China and the upper 10cm layer of soil in the Sangke Grass Land in the southern part of Gansu Province, China, respectively. Urosoma salmastra is characterized by its elongate-elliptical body with no tail-like structure; two macronuclear nodules; cortical granules colourless, less than 1µm across, and arranged in short rows; adoral zone occupying 25% of body length in vivo; paroral conspicuously short and located in front of endoral. Urosoma karinae sinense nov. sspec. is characterized by its elongate-elliptical body with no tail; 2-4 macronuclear nodules; cortical granules colourless, less than 1µm across, and arranged in short rows; adoral zone occupying 30% of body length in vivo; paroral shorter than, and located ahead of endoral. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data suggest a close relationship between U. salmastra, U. karinae sinense nov. sspec. and Oxytricha granulifera within the Oxytrichinae assemblage.

Morphogenesis of a unique pseudourostylid ciliate, Trichototaxis songi (Ciliophora, Urostylida).

Divisional morphogenesis in the freshwater spirotrichous ciliate, Trichototaxis songiChen et al., 2007, was investigated. The main morphogenetic events are characterised as follows: (1) the parental oral apparatus is completely renewed by the independently formed oral primordium in the proter; (2) the oral primordium in the opisthe is formed on the cell surface; (3) several left cirri of the midventral pairs participate in the formation of the oral primordium in the opisthe; (4) FVT-anlage I forms the leftmost pair of the bicorona; (5) the macronuclear nodules fuse into many masses rather than a single or branched mass as described in most pseudokeronopsids; and (6) usually, two marginal anlagen develop within each left marginal row separately. However, the number of left marginal anlagen is highly variable, even differing between the proter and opisthe of the same divider. The increase in the number of left marginal anlagen is by de novo generation of small anlagen to the left of the intrakinetal left marginal anlage, whereas the decrease in number is by resorption of the old marginal row(s). We posit that Trichototaxis is an intermediate form between the Pseudourostylidae and Pseudokeronopsidae as it shares morphogenetic features with both. Additionally, as in Uroleptopsis (Uroleptopsis), FVT-anlage I forms the leftmost pair of the bicorona in Trichototaxis indicating these genera may be closely related.