First stand of Paramecium octaurelia in Europe and molecular characteristics of other known strains of this species.

ABSTRACT

The first stand of Paramecium octaurelia in Europe (Germany) is described and interesting intra-specific polymorphism is compared within the species using strains originating from different continents (Europe, N. America and Asia). Sequenced fragments of 5' LSU rDNA and COI mtDNA revealed that the studied strains form two groups, one with strains from Germany and USA, and a second group from Israel.