Stephanoeca arndti spec. nov.--first cultivation success including molecular and autecological data from a freshwater acanthoecid choanoflagellate from Samoa.

ABSTRACT

Until recently acanthoecid choanoflagellates have been described only from marine and brackish waters. Here I describe a distinct, strictly freshwater acanthoecid species from Samoa based on its morphology, ecology and molecular biological data (partial Small Subunit rDNA). The lorica of the species is characterised by two extensions at the posterior chamber which are used for attachment to the substratum. The posterior chamber is constructed of irregularly arranged costae. The anterior chamber consists of four transverse costal rings and 14-18 longitudinal costae. Despite its sturdy appearance, the lorica was extremely sensitive to water turbulence and movements of the water. The species showed a salinity tolerance of 0.5 practical salinity units with reduced growth rates and a temperature tolerance range of 20-34 °C. According to the morphology, phylogenetic analysis, and autecology of the species it was classified as a member of the genus Stephanoeca.