Corresponding author: Milcho Todorov ( todorovmilcho@gmail.com ) © 2019 Milcho Todorov, Nikola Bankov.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Todorov M, Bankov N (2019) An Atlas of Sphagnum-Dwelling Testate Amoebae in Bulgaria. Advanced Books. https://doi.org/10.3897/ab.e38685
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Testate amoebae is a term used to unite those free-living, unicellular eukaryotes which ameboid cell is covered by an extracellular shell (test), mostly with a single main opening, and which extrude lobose or filose pseudopodia. Testate amoebae are traditionally divided into two main groups based on the morphology of pseudopodia – Arcellinida (with lobose pseudopodia) and Euglyphida (with filose pseudopodia) (
Testate amoebae are worldwide distributed and occur from the tropics to polar regions. They are present in most terrestrial and freshwater environments, as well as in brackish and marine habitats, but are especially abundant and diverse in the Sphagnum mosses. The studies on this group have significantly increased over the past two decades due to their increasing use in different applied aspects. Testate amoebae are a good model for taxonomy and evolutionary studies because of their abundance, diversity and presence of a shell, which is a reliable taxonomic feature used in diagnostic of the species. They are considered as valuable bioindicators for ecological and environmental monitoring studies, in particular, as proxies for hydrological changes, and therefore, for paleoclimate reconstruction in peatlands (
The studies on the Sphagnum-dwelling testate amoebae in Bulgaria started in the beginning of the 20th century, when
The aim of this atlas is to present summarised information and to illustrate comprehensively the shell morphology and structure of the majority of recorded Sphagnum-dwelling testate amoebae in Bulgaria. Since most of these species appear to be widely distributed in Europe, as well as in many other regions of the world, the atlas may be of interest to all researchers on testate amoebae and can also be used by specialists in ecology, hydrobiology, palaeoecology and environmental monitoring.
Shells are the main taxonomic feature of testate amoebae and they are extremely diverse in shape, size and composition.
Morphological types of testate amoebae shells: ARC – arcella; ACS – simple acrostomy; ACC – compressed acrostomy; ACA arched acrostomy; TRAS – simple trachelostomy; TRAA – arched trachelostomy; COT – cotylostomy; AXI – axial; AMP – amphystomy; ELL – ellipsostomy; PRO – propylostomy; DIP – diplostomy; PLS – simple plagiostomy; PLV – plagiostomy with visor; CRS – simple cryptostomy; CRV – cryptostomy with visor (After Bonnet, 1975).
According to the shell composition, there are four main types of shells: proteinaceous, agglutinate, siliceous and calcareous (
Proteinaceous shells can be divided into three types: 1) shells in which the wall is more or less a flexible membrane (Microcoryciidae); 2) shells with a smooth and rigid homogeneous coat composed of mucoprotein (Hyalosphenia); 3) shells, constructed of numerous regularly arranged, hollow building units or alveoli (Arcellidae) (Fig.
Agglutinate shells may be divided into two types. The shells of the first type have either a structured or sheet-like organic cement matrix in which foreign material from the environment (xenosomes), such as quartz grains or diatom frustules, is incorporated (most of Difflugiidae). It is noteworthy that the structure of the organic cement has valuable importance for the taxonomy and distinction of the species in this group. The second type of agglutinate shells is characteristic for most representatives of the families Hyalospheniidae and Heleoperidae. Their shells are composed of siliceous shell-plates with different shape and size, embedded in a sheet-like organic cement matrix. It is important to note that the species with such shells do not make their own shell-plates but obtain them by predation mainly on small euglyphids (Fig.
Testate amoebae with proteinaceous shells: (A, B) Hyalosphenia papilio – shell composed of mucoprotein; (C, D) Arcella gibbosa – shell composed of numerous hollow building units (alveoli).
Testate amoebae with agglutinate shells: (A-D) shells composed of foreign material from the environment (xenosomes); (A, B) Difflugia oblonga; (C, D) Pontigulasia rhumbleri; (E-H) shells composed of siliceous shell-plates with different shape and size, obtained by predation mainly on small euglyphids; (E, F) Gibbocarina galeata; (G, H) Heleopera sylvatica.
Siliceous shells are composed of endogenous siliceous shell-plates (idiosomes) which are produced by the amoebae themselves. These structural elements are formed and stored in the parent’s cytoplasm prior to cell division, and are used in the division process to construct the daughter shell, identical to the parent. The shape, size and arrangement of the siliceous shell-plates (idiosomes) are species specific and have valuable taxonomic significance. The idiosomes are too different in shape and vary from oval or circular in the euglyphids (Euglyphida), through rods in Lesquereusia, and nail-like in Netzelia to quadrangular in Quadrulella (Fig.
Fig.
Calcareous shells are the least presented and are characteristic to only two genera Paraquadrula and Cryptodifflugia. The first one has quadrangular calcite shell-plates embedded in a sheet-like organic cement matrix. The second has a smooth shell surface and the wall is composed of two layers, a thin organic outer layer and a thick inner layer of amorphous calcium phosphate (
Some species of testate amoebae are described only on the basis of empty shells and their biology is totally unknown. Most of the species with agglutinate shells, composed of quartz grains (xenosomes), have poorly studied cell morphology because their shells are opaque and robust, with thick walls, which prevent the study of the cytoplasm by light and transmission electron microscopy. Thus, much of our knowledge on the cell structure of testate amoebae is mainly due to the studies of species with proteinaceous, siliceous or calcareous shells (
In general, the cell of testate amoebae is surrounded by a thin and elastic plasmalemma with numerous microtubules and microfilaments, lying beneath it and having function of a cytoskeletal structure. The cytoplasm is usually divided into two zones. The anterior zone is a granular cytoplasm and includes many food and digestive vacuoles, numerous mitochondria and peripherally located vesicles containing organic cement. The posterior zone is a dense cytoplasm, which contains nucleus, surrounded by a compact mass of granular endoplasmic reticulum, numerous ribosomes, one or more Golgi complexes, as well as several contractile vacuoles located laterally of the nucleus, close to the plasmalemma (
Nuclei of testate amoebae: (A, B) vesicular nuclei of Arcella discoides (A) and Trinema galeata (B); (C, D) ovular nuclei of Nebela collaris (C) and Tracheleuglypha dentata (D) (large arrows – nucleus, small arrows – nucleolus).
The movement of testate amoebae is accomplished by a steady flow of the cytoplasm, which involves the extension and retraction of pseudopodia through the shell aperture (pseudostome) and creep on the substrate. The pseudopodia have different shape and mode of activity and for a long time they have been used as a main feature in the classification of testate amoebae. There are three main types of pseudopodia: endolobopodia, ectolobopodia (reticulo-lobopodia) and filopodia. The endolobopodia are thick, digitate and granular pseudopodia with rounded ends, characteristic for most species of the order Arcellinida (suborders Sphaerothecina and Difflugina). The ectolobopodia (reticulo-lobopodia) are completely hyaline, conical, pointed, sometimes branched and may anastomose. They are presented in the suborder Phryganellina (Cryptodifflugia, Meisterfeldia, Phryganella, Wailesella). The filopodia are hyaline, filamentous, thin, straight, finely pointed, sometimes branched and are presented in all the Euglyphida (Fig.
Testate amoebae normally reproduce by binary fission, with a replication of the parent. Firstly, an identical daughter-cell is constructed and after that the fission takes place usually as a closed ortomitosis (
Reproduction of testate amoebae by binary fission: (A) Sphenoderia lenta; (B) Heleopera sylvatica; (D) Arcella dentata (the shell of parent is dark-brown because the alveoli are enriched with iron, used to strengthen the shell wall; this inorganic material is not usually present in the alveoli of young animals and their shells are light yellowish).
Besides the reproductive cysts testate amoebae can produce resistant and short-time cysts as a protection against unfavorable conditions in the environment, such as drought, extremal temperatures, lack of food or anaerobiosis. Usually, the resistant cysts are formed within the shell and are contained within a thick organic membrane. During encystment the amoebae reduce the volume of cytoplasm and number of organelles, and in such encysted state they can survive for a long time (several months). In the period of desiccation, many soil- and moss-dwelling species form short-time cysts (precists), which differ from the resistant cysts by their relatively thin membrane enclosing the cell and by their ability to pass quickly into active life when appropriate conditions in the environment occur. Often, testate amoebae forming cysts additionally seal the shell aperture with a plug of siliceous or extraneous particles (Fig.
Testate amoebae are mostly phagotrophic organisms feeding on bacteria, algae and fungi, thus playing an important role in nutrient recycling in the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Some larger species (mostly Hyalospheniidae) are predators preying on other Protozoa, such as the euglyphid testate amoebae and naked amoebae, or small metazoan organisms, such as the nematodes and rotifers (
The presented data on species diversity and distribution of the Sphagnum-dwelling testate amoebae were based on the review of all available literature from Bulgaria. In addition, we included unpublished data from our studies in the period 2016 – 2018.
The material for the present study was extracted from wet Sphagnum mosses, collected at the mountains Western Stara Planina, Rhodopes, Vitosha, Rila and Pirin. A total of 126 samples of testate amoebae from 23 localities were collected and examined. Testate amoebae were extracted from fresh Sphagnum mosses at the sampling site and concentrated by sieving (350 μm). The resulting fraction (50 ml) was observed with optical microscope “Amplival” (Zeiss-Jena) using 40x objective and 10x oculars lens. The light micrographs (LM) were taken using an Axio Imager M2-Carl Zeiss compound microscope with a digital camera (ProgRes C7) and specialised software (CapturePro Software 2.8). Most of the pictures for illustration of the pseudopodia and nuclei of the live individuals were taken with differential interference contrast (DIC).
The morphometric characterisation of the species was made using our own measurements of individuals isolated from the wet Sphagnum mosses, collected during this study. The following basic characters were measured: arithmetic mean; median (M); standard deviation (SD); standard error of mean (SE); coefficient of variation in % (CV); and extreme values (Min and Max). The statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA Software, Version 10.0 (StatSoft 2010).
For the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the specimens were isolated by searching through small isolates of material in a petri dish. The specimens were extracted using a glass micropipette, washed several times in distilled water, and then individual shells were positioned with a single-hair brush on a previously mounted double-sided adhesive tape on a standard aluminium stub and air-dried. The shells were coated evenly with gold in a vacuum coating unit. The photomicrographs were obtained using scanning electron microscopes JEOL JSM-5510 and LYRA/TESCAN 5007, operating at 10 kV.
The classification of testate amoebae at higher ranks follows
Eukaryotes
Domain Amorphea Adl et al., 2012
Supergroup Amoebozoa Lühe, 1913, sensu Cavalier-Smith, 1998
Phylum Tubulinea Smirnov et al., 2005
Class Corycida Kang et al., 2017
Genus Amphizonella Greeff, 1866
Genus Diplochlamys Greeff, 1888
Class Elardia Kang et al., 2017
Order Arcellinida Kent, 1880
Suborder Glutinoconcha Lahr et al. 2019
Infraorder Sphaerothecina Kosakyan et al., 2016
Family Arcellidae Ehrenberg, 1843
Genus Antarcella Deflandre, 1928
Genus Arcella Ehrenberg, 1830
Family Netzeliidae Kosakyan et al., 2016
Genus Cyclopyxis Deflandre, 1929
Genus Netzelia Ogden, 1979
Incertae sedis Sphaerothecina, Genera: Cornuapyxis Coûteaux et Chardez, 1981; Cucurbitella Penard, 1902; Distomatopyxis Bonnet, 1964; Ellipsopyxella Bonnet, 1975; Ellipsopyxis Bonnet, 1965; Geopyxella Bonnet et Thomas, 1955; Lamtopyxis Bonnet, 1974; Protocucurbitella Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1960; Suiadifflugia Green, 1975; Trigonopyxis Penard, 1912.
Infraorder Longithecina Lahr et al., 2019
Family Difflugiidae Wallich, 1864
Genus Difflugia Leclerc, 1815
Genus Pseudonebela Gauthier-Lièvre, 1953
Family Lesquereusiidae Jung, 1942
Genus Lesquereusia Schlumberger, 1845
Genus Microquadrula Golemansky, 1968
Genus Paraquadrula Deflandre, 1932
Genus Pomoriella Golemansky, 1970
Infraorder Excentrostoma Lahr et al., 2019
Family Centropyxidae Jung, 1942
Genus Centropyxis Stein, 1857
Genus Proplagiopyxis Schönborn, 1964
Family Plagiopyxidae Bonnet et Thomas, 1960
Genus Bullinularia (Penard, 1907) Deflandre, 1953
Genus Geoplagiopyxis Chardez,1961
Genus Hoogenraadia Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1958
Genus Paracentropyxis Bonnet, 1960
Genus Plagiopyxis Penard, 1910
Genus Planhoogenraadia Bonnet, 1977
Genus Protoplagiopyxis Bonnet, 1962
Incertae sedis Excentrostoma, Genera: Conicocassis Nasser and Patterson, 2015; Oopyxis Jung, 1942.
Infraorder Hyalospheniformes Lahr et al., 2019
Family Hyalospheniidae Schultze, 1977, emend. Kosakyan and Lara, 2012
Genus Alabasta Duckert et al., 2018
Genus Alocodera Jung, 1942
Genus Apodera Loeblich and Tappan, 1961
Genus Certesella Loeblich and Tappan,1961
Genus Cornutheca Kosakyan et al., 2016
Genus Gibbocarina Kosakyan et al., 2016
Genus Hyalosphenia Stein, 1859
Genus Longinebela Kosakyan et al., 2016
Genus Mrabella Kosakyan et al., 2016
Genus Nebela Leidy, 1874
Genus Padaungiella Lara and Todorov, 2012
Genus Planocarina Kosakyan et al., 2016
Genus Porosia Jung, 1942
Genus Quadrulella Cockerell, 1909
Infraorder Volnustoma Lahr et al., 2019
Family Heleoperidae Jung, 1942
Genus Heleopera Leidy, 1879
Suborder Organoconcha Lahr et al., 2019
Family Microchlamyidae Ogden, 1985
Genus Microchlamys Cockerell, 1911
Genus Spumochlamys Kudryavtsev and Hausmann, 2007
Genus Pyxidicula Ehrenberg, 1838
Suborder Phryganellina Bovee, 1985
Family Phryganellidae Jung, 1942
Genus Phryganella Penard, 1902
Family Cryptodifflugiidae Jung, 1942
Genus Cryptodifflugia Penard, 1890
Genus Meisterfeldia Bobrov, 2016
Genus Wailesella Deflandre,1928
Incertae sedis Arcellinida, Genera: Argynnia Vucetich, 1974; Awerintzewia Schouteden, 1906; Geamphorella Bonnet, 1959; Jungia Loeblich and Tappan, 1961; Lagenodifflugia Medioli and Scott, 1983; Lamtoquadrula Bonnet, 1974; Leptochlamys West, 1901; Maghrebia Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1958; Pentagonia Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1958 ; Physochila Jung, 1942; Pontigulasia Rhumbler, 1896; Pseudawerintzewia Bonnet, 1959; Schoenbornia Decloitre, 1964; Schwabia Jung, 1942; Sexangularia Awerintzew, 1906, Zivkovicia Ogden, 1987.
Incertae sedis Amoebozoa, Genera: Microcorycia Cockerell, 1911; Parmulina Penard, 1902; Penardochlamys Deflandre, 1953; Zonomyxa Nüsslin, 1882
Domain Diaphoretickes Adl et al., 2012
Supergroup Sar Burki et al., 2008, emend. Adl et al., 2012
Phylum Stramenopiles Patterson, 1989, emend. Adl et al., 2005
Class Labyrinthulomycetes Dick, 2001
Order Amphitremida Poch, 1913, emend. Gomaa et al., 2013
Family Amphitrematidae Poch, 1913
Genus Amphitrema Archer, 1869
Genus Archerella Loeblich and Tappan, 1961
Genus Paramphitrema Valkanov, 1970
Supergroup Rhizaria Cavalier-Smith, 2002
Phylum Cercozoa Cavalier-Smith, 1998, emend. Adl et al., 2005; emend. Cavalier-Smith, 2018
Class Thecofilosea Cavalier-Smith, 2003, emend. Cavalier-Smith, 2011
Order Cryomonadida Cavalier-Smith, 1993
Family Rhogostomidae Dumack et al., 2017
Genus Capsellina Penard, 1909
Genus Rhogostoma Belar, 1921
Genus Sacciforma Dumack et al., 2017
Order Tectofilosida Cavalier-Smith, 2003
Family Chlamydophryidae de Saedeleer, 1934
Genus Chlamydophrys Cienkowsky, 1876
Genus Clypeolina Penard, 1902
Genus Diaphorodon Archer, 1869
Genus Lecythium Hertwig and Lesser, 1874
Genus Leptochlamydophris Belar, 1921
Family Pseudodifflugiidae de Saedeleer, 1934
Genus Pseudodifflugia Schlumberger, 1845
Class Silicofilosea Adl et al., 2005, emend. Adl et al., 2012
Order Thaumatomonadida Shirkina, 1987
Family Thaumatomonadidae Hollande, 1952
Genus Penardeugenia Deflandre, 1958
Order Euglyphida Copeland, 1956, emend. Cavalier-Smith, 1997
Family Assulinidae Lara et al., 2007
Genus Assulina Ehrenberg, 1872
Genus Placocista Leidy, 1879
Genus Valkanovia Tappan, 1966
Family Euglyphidae Wallich, 1864, emend. Lara et al., 2007
Genus Euglypha Dujardin, 1841
Genus Scutiglypha Foissner and Schiller, 2001
Family Sphenoderiidae Chatelain et al., 2013
Genus Deharvengia Bonnet, 1979
Genus Sphenoderia Schlumberger, 1845
Genus Trachelocorythion Bonnet, 1979
Family Trinematidae Hoogenraad and De Groot,1940, emend Adl et al., 2012
Genus Corythion Taranek, 1881
Genus Pileolus Coûteaux et Chardez, 1981
Genus Playfairina Thomas, 1961
Genus Puytoracia Bonnet, 1970
Genus Trinema Dujardin, 1841
Family Cyphoderiidae de Saedeleer, 1934
Genus Campascus Leidy, 1877
Genus Chardezia Golemansky, 1970
Genus Corythionella Golemansky, 1970
Genus Cyphoderia Schlumberger, 1845
Genus Messemvriella Golemansky, 1973
Genus Pseudocorythion Valkanov, 1970
Genus Schaudinnula Awerintzev, 1907
Family Paulinellidae de Saedeller 1934, emend. Adl et al. 2012
Genus Micropyxidiella Tarnawski and Lara, 2015
Genus Ovulinata Anderson, Rogerson & Hannah, 1997
Genus Paulinella Lauterborn, 1895
Incertae sedis Euglyphida, Genera: Ampullataria van Oye, 1956; Euglyphidion Bonnet, 1960; Heteroglypha Thomas et Gauthier-Lièvre, 1959; Matsakision Bonnet, 1967; Pareuglypha Penard, 1902; Tracheleuglypa Deflandre, 1928
Incertae sedis Cercozoa:
Family Psammonobiotidae Golemansky, 1974, emend. Meisterfeld, 2002
Genus Alepiella Golemansky, 1970
Genus Centropyxiella Valkanov, 1970
Genus Edaphonobiotus Schönborn, Foissner and Meisterfeld, 1983
Genus Micramphora Valkanov, 1970
Genus Micropsammella Golemansky, 1970
Genus Nadinella Penard, 1902
Genus Ogdeniella Golemansky, 1982
Genus Psammonobiotus Golemansky, 1967
Genus Propsammonobiotus Golemansky, 1991
Family Volutellidae Sudzuki, 1979
Genus Pseudovolutella Sudzuki, 1979
Genus Volutella Chardez, 1977
Incertae sedis Cercozoa, Genera: Feuerbornia Jung, 1942; Frenzelina Penard, 1902; Lesquerella Chardez et Thomas, 1980; Rhumbleriella Golemansky, 1970
Prior to our investigation, the number of known Sphagnum-dwelling testate amoebae in Bulgaria was 171 (
Varieties and forms recorded from Bulgaria are not included separately in the atlas, despite the fact that, according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, article 45.6.3, when the name was published before 1961 using the abbreviation ‘var.’ or ‘f.’, it is deemed to be subspecific rather than infrasubspecific. However, due to the fact that many of these taxa have not sufficiently detailed descriptions and in many cases they are described on a basis of traits that do not have much taxonomic significance (small differences in size, the presence or absence of spines/cornes and their number, the number of lobes of the aperture, etc.) these taxa remain with unclear taxonomic status. So, until the clarifying of their status with the help of combined morphological and molecular approaches and full confirmation of their validity, we prefere to adopt a conservative position and consider these taxa as the product of the phenotipic plasticity of a nominal species. Nevertheless, in the next chapter “Species descriptions and illustrations” to each nominal species, in ‘Notes’, we have included all the records for these infrasubspecific taxa, in the event that some of them may be raised in rank in the future.
Amoebozoa
Family Arcellidae
Genus Arcella
Family Netzeliidae
Genus Cyclopyxis
Genus Netzelia
Incertae sedis Sphaerothecina
Genus Trigonopyxis
Family Difflugiidae
Genus Difflugia
Family Lesquereusiidae
Genus Lesquereusia
Family Centropyxidae
Genus Centropyxis
Family Plagiopyxidae
Genus Bullinularia
Genus Plagiopyxis
Family Hyalospheniidae
Genus Alabasta
Genus Gibbocarina
Genus Hyalosphenia
Genus Longinebela
Genus Nebela
Genus Padaungiella
Genus Planocarina
Genus Quadrulella
Family Heleoperidae
Genus Heleopera
Family Microchlamyidae
Genus Microchlamys
Genus Pyxidicula
Family Phryganellidae
Genus Phryganella
Family Cryptodifflugiidae
Genus Cryptodifflugia
Genus Wailesella
Incertae sedis Arcellinida
Genus Argynnia
Genus Awerintzewia
Genus Lagenodifflugia
Genus Pontigulasia
Genus Zivkovicia
Incertae sedis Amoebozoa
Genus Microcorycia
Stramenopiles
Family Amphitrematidae
Genus Archerella
Cercozoa
Family Chlamydophryidae
Genus Lecythium
Family Pseudodifflugiidae
Genus Pseudodifflugia
Family Assulinidae
Genus Assulina
Genus Placocista
Family Euglyphidae
Genus Euglypha
Genus Scutiglypha
Family Sphenoderiidae
Genus Sphenoderia
Genus Trachelocorythion
Family Trinematidae
Genus Corythion
Genus Playfairina
Genus Trinema
Family Cyphoderiidae
Genus Campascus
Genus Cyphoderia
Family Paulinellidae
Genus Paulinella
Incertae sedis Euglyphida
Genus Pareuglypha
Genus Tracheleuglypha
A total of 120 species are described in the atlas, including most of the characteristic sphagnicolous testate amoebae, as well as some rare or accidentally found in Sphagnum mosses species. The following information is given for each species: description; ecology; geographical distribution; distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria and relevant literature sources; morphometric characterisation; taxonomic notes (if necessary); synonymous names (if available); original publication and publication where last revision is made (if any).
Each species is illustrated by nine micrographs, primarily on scanning electron microscope (SEM), to receive information about the shell ultrastructure. Micrographs taken on light microscope (LM) are additionally given for most of them to illustrate the cytoplasm and pseudopodia of live individuals.
In measurements of the species in which the aboral protuberances or horns (spines) are present, the length includes these appendages when they are part of the shell matrix (e.g. Centropyxis, Difflugia, Pareuglypha), but excludes them when they are specialised shell components (e.g. Euglypha).
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella aureola Maggi, 1883; Arcella microstoma Penard, 1890.
Description: Shell yellow or light brown, circular, with depressed aboral region and conical in lateral view (Fig.
Notes: A. arenaria is similar to A. catinus, but these two species may be distinguished by the size (A. catinus is bigger, with larger aperture), number of apertural pores (10-15 in A. arenaria, versus 18-35 in A. catinus), as well as by theirs ecology: A. arenaria inhabits mostly aerophilic and dry habitats, whereas A. catinus occurs in wet habitats, mainly wet Sphagnum mosses.
Ecology: Common in aerophilic mosses and litter in deciduous forests, very rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Arcella arenaria. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 93.4 | 89.8 | 12.65 | 2.31 | 14.01 | 70 | 119 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 17.4 | 17.1 | 3.88 | 0.71 | 22.32 | 13 | 28 | 30 |
Depth | 29.6 | 27.6 | 4.66 | 1.41 | 15.77 | 26 | 40 | 11 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 15.97 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.32 | 0.29 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 28.30 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 11 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Arcella arenaria. (A-C) View of many specimens showing variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Apertural view to show smooth apertural surface. (E-F) Aboral view showing depressed segments of surface. (G) Lateral view. (H) Close up view of aperture to show distinct apertural lip and surrounding large pores. (I) Portion of shell surface showing small organic alveoli on the aboral surface.
Original description: Deflandre 1928, Archiv für Protistenkunde, 64, p. 237, Fig. 242–243.
Description: Shell yellow or light brown, circular in apertural and dorsal view; with a shallow domed or conical aboral region in lateral view, and sides running evenly down at slightly rounded angles to the apertural side (Fig.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, rare, low population density.
Geographical distribution: Possible cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rila Mts. (
Arcella bathystoma. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 62.7 | 60.3 | 7.54 | 1.14 | 12.02 | 52 | 78 | 44 |
Diameter of aperture | 21.1 | 21.1 | 3.06 | 0.46 | 14.49 | 14 | 29 | 44 |
Depth | 24.4 | 24.2 | 5.03 | 0.83 | 20.6 | 16 | 35 | 37 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.34 | 0.34 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 10.27 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 44 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.39 | 0.38 | 0.06 | 0.010 | 16.16 | 0.24 | 0.53 | 37 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Arcella bathystoma. (A-B) View of several specimens showing general shape of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens to show deeply invaginated and comparatively large aperture. (E) Dorsal view showing regular depressions on aboral shell surface. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture to show apertural lip and surrounding large pores. (H, I) Portion of shell surface showing arrangement of the organic alveoli and regular depressions on the aboral surface of the shell.
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella vulgaris Leidy, 1879 (in part); Arcella artocrea Penard, 1902; Arcella vulgaris var. compressa Cash, 1905; Arcella catinus var. australis Playfair, 1918
Description: Shell yellow or light brown, too variable in shape - circular, oval, triangular, quadrangular, more or less irregular in apertural and dorsal view (Fig.
Notes: A. catinus is similar to A. arenaria, but these two species may be distinguished by the size (A. catinus is bigger, with larger aperture), number of apertural pores (10-15 in A. arenaria, versus 18-35 in A. catinus), as well as by theirs ecology: A. arenaria inhabits mostly aerophilic and dry habitats, whereas A. catinus occurs mainly in Sphagnum mosses.
Ecology: Frequent in wet Sphagnum mosses.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Arcella catinus. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 120.6 | 119.8 | 9.74 | 1.78 | 8.07 | 101 | 137 | 30 |
Breadth | 100.3 | 100.2 | 8.16 | 1.49 | 8.14 | 86 | 120 | 30 |
Depth | 52.7 | 53.8 | 7.04 | 1.35 | 13.4 | 36 | 68 | 27 |
Large axis of aperture | 29.4 | 30.6 | 3.70 | 0.67 | 12.6 | 22 | 37 | 30 |
Small axis of aperture | 23.0 | 22.7 | 3.22 | 0.59 | 14.0 | 16 | 30 | 30 |
Depth/Length ratio | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.06 | 0.011 | 13.18 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 27 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Arcella catinus. (A-C) View of many specimens showing variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-E) Dorsal view to illustrate depressed aboral region and foldings of the surface; (F) Apertural view to show smooth apertural surface; (G) Lateral view showing characteristic trapezoidal shape. (H) Portion of shell surface showing small organic alveoli and foldings of the aboral surface. (I) Close up view of aperture to show distinct apertural lip and surrounding large pores.
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella stellaris Perty, 1852; Arcella Okeni Perty, 1852; Arcella stellata Ehrenberg, 1854
Description: Shell colorless in young and yellow or brown in older individuals; circular and more or less dentate seen from above or below (Fig.
Ecology: Weakly mineralized peat bogs and lakes, Sphagnum spp.; comparatively rare and usually with a low density.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mt. (
Arcella dentata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 140.0 | 141.0 | 10.20 | 1.19 | 7.29 | 96 | 161 | 73 |
Diameter of aperture | 44.9 | 44.5 | 4.27 | 0.50 | 9.52 | 35 | 58 | 72 |
Depth | 37.8 | 37.4 | 2.92 | 0.81 | 7.72 | 33 | 44 | 13 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.03 | 0.004 | 9.32 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 72 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.27 | 0.26 | 0.02 | 0.004 | 6.08 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 13 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Arcella dentata. (A, B) View of many specimens showing variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen illustrating two typical vesicular nuclei with one large central nucleolus, numerous small epipodes and granular endolobopodia. (D) Dodsal view showing shell depression on top and radiating ridges. (E) Apertural view. (F) Lateral view showing characteristic crown resembling shell. (G) View of aperture to illustrate small lip and surrounding large pores. (H) Portion of shell surface to show structuring alveoli and small pores. (I) Lateral view showing highly flattened shell with turned-up rim edged with conical point.
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella discoidea Ehrenberg, 1843.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular, with shallow conical aboral region and basal border, discoid in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Common in freshwater standing bodies, among aquatic vegetation, less frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Arcella discoides. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 116.2 | 117.9 | 14.63 | 2.63 | 12.59 | 91 | 144 | 31 |
Diameter of aperture | 44.2 | 43.6 | 8.64 | 1.25 | 15.48 | 34 | 60 | 30 |
Depth | 36.8 | 37.5 | 4.59 | 1.32 | 12.45 | 28 | 44 | 12 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.38 | 0.37 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 9.39 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.34 | 0.33 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 13.52 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 12 |
Light (A-C) and scanning electron (D-I) micrographs of Arcella discoides. (A) View of many specimens showing variability in shape and size of the shell. (B, C) View of live specimens illustrating numerous short epipodes and two typical vesicular nuclei with one large central nucleolus. (D) Apertural view to show smooth apertural surface, large aperture and surrounding numerous pores. (E) Aboral view. (F) Lateral view. (G, H) Close up view of aperture to show its circular outline, thin apertural lip and numerous surrounding large pores. (I) Portion of shell surface showing small organic alveoli on the aboral surface.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular, with depressed aboral region and domed or hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: In freshwater standing bodies, among aquatic vegetation, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Arcella gibbosa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 98,7 | 98,6 | 4,79 | 1,05 | 4,85 | 91 | 106 | 21 |
Diameter of aperture | 20,9 | 20,6 | 1,64 | 0,36 | 7,85 | 19 | 25 | 21 |
Depth | 52,5 | 52,3 | 1,80 | 0,39 | 3,43 | 49 | 57 | 21 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0,21 | 0,21 | 0,008 | 0,002 | 3,81 | 0,20 | 0,23 | 21 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0,53 | 0,53 | 0,017 | 0,004 | 3,21 | 0,50 | 0,56 | 21 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Arcella gibbosa. (A, B) View of many specimens showing variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen illustrating numerous short epipodes and two typical vesicular nuclei with one large central nucleolus. (D) Latero-apertural view to show smooth apertural surface and invagited aperture. (E) Dorsal view showing depressed segments of the surface. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture to show distinct apertural lip. (H) Close up view of aboral side showing depressed segments of the surface. (I) Portion of shell surface showing small organic alveoli and numerous surrounding small pores.
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella vulgaris var. hemisphaerica Wailes, 1918
Description: Shell yellow or brown, smooth or irregular, circular in apertural or aboral view, hemispherical in lateral view; with sides running evenly down at nearly right or slightly rounded angles to the apertural side (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as infrasubspecific taxon Arcella hemisphaerica f. undulata Deflandre, 1928 (Rhodopes Mts., Rila Mts.).
Ecology: Common in stagnant freshwater bodies, in littoral zone among aquatic vegetation, less frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Arcella hemisphaerica. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 57.4 | 54.7 | 6.66 | 1.03 | 11.60 | 49 | 71 | 42 |
Diameter of aperture | 17.9 | 18.2 | 2.91 | 0.45 | 16.26 | 12 | 26 | 42 |
Depth | 31.3 | 30.1 | 6.10 | 1.76 | 19.51 | 25 | 43 | 12 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.31 | 0.30 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 11.56 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 42 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.57 | 0.56 | 0.06 | 0.018 | 10.91 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 12 |
Light (A-C) and scanning electron (D-I) micrographs of Arcella hemisphaerica. (A, B) View of many specimens showing variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen illustrating numerous short epipodes and two typical vesicular nuclei with one large central nucleolus. (D, E) Apertural view of two specimens. (F) Dorsal view. (G, H) Latero-apertural view. (I) Close up view of aperture showing the apertural lip, irregular shell surface caused by drying of the shell and collapsed alveoli, as well as numerous small pores.
Original description: Deflandre 1928, Archiv für Protistenkunde, 64, p. 215-216, Fig. 238–240; Last revision:
Synonyms: Arcella hemisphaerica var. intermedia f. undulata Deflandre, 1928
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular in apertural and dorsal view, domed or hemispherical in lateral view; with sides running evenly down by broadly rounded angles to the apertural side (Fig.
Ecology: Common in stagnant freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation; less common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Arcella intermedia. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 60.9 | 60.5 | 3.71 | 0.60 | 6.09 | 53 | 69 | 38 |
Diameter of aperture | 16.0 | 16.0 | 1.49 | 0.24 | 9.33 | 14 | 23 | 38 |
Depth | 34.0 | 34.0 | 2.46 | 0.40 | 7.21 | 29 | 39 | 37 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.02 | 0.004 | 8.41 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 38 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.56 | 0.55 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 8.45 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 37 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Arcella intermedia. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) Latero-apertural view showing apertural invagination. (D) Apertural view to show smooth apertural surface. (E) Dorsal view showing regular depressions on aboral surface of the shell. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture to show the apertural lip. (H, I) Portion of shell surface showing regularity in arrangement of the organic hexagonal alveoli and numerous small pores.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellow or brown, smooth, thin and fragile, circular in ventral view, domed or hemispherical in lateral view; margin of the dome without basal angles and merging into the base in a broadly rounded curve (Fig.
Notes: Besides the nominal species two infrasubspecific taxa have also been recorded in Bulgaria: Arcella rotundata var. stenostoma Deflandre, 1928 (Vitosha Mts.) and Arcella rotundata var. stenostoma f. undulata Deflandre, 1928 (Rhodopes Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Common in standing freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation; less frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Arcella rotundata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 49.4 | 48.5 | 3.58 | 0.65 | 7.24 | 44 | 57 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 14.5 | 13.9 | 2.58 | 0.47 | 17.8 | 10 | 21 | 30 |
Depth | 30.0 | 23.1 | 3.26 | 0.59 | 13.6 | 19 | 31 | 30 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 17.72 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 11.8 | 0.38 | 0.64 | 30 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Arcella rotundata. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-D) Apertural view of two specimens. (E) Latero-apertural view. (F) Dorsal view. (G) Lateral view. (H) Close up view of aperture showing the bordering lip. (I) Portion of shell surface to show arrangement of organic alveoli and numerous small pores.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular and domed or hemispherical in lateral view, with pronounced basal collar (Fig.
Ecology: Common in freshwater standing bodies, among aquatic vegetation, less frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Arcella vulgaris. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 116.1 | 118.2 | 11.70 | 1.74 | 10.07 | 87 | 139 | 45 |
Diameter of aperture | 35.9 | 38.2 | 6.50 | 1.02 | 18.10 | 23 | 49 | 41 |
Depth | 62.7 | 62.4 | 4.48 | 1.16 | 7.14 | 57 | 74 | 15 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.30 | 0.31 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 12.96 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 41 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.59 | 0.58 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 8.13 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 15 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Arcella vulgaris. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen illustrating numerous short epipodes and two typical vesicular nuclei with one large central nucleolus. (D) Apertural view to show smooth apertural surface and deeply invaginated aperture with pronounced apertural lip. (E) Dorsal view. (F, G) Lateral view showing a basal collar. (H) Close up view of aperture to show distinct apertural lip. (I) Portion of shell surface showing small organic alveoli and numerous surrounding small pores.
Original description:
Synonyms: Centropyxis (Cyclopyxis) eurystoma Deflandre, 1929.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in soils, mosses and forest litter, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Cyclopyxis eurystoma. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 59.3 | 57.5 | 7.14 | 1.28 | 12.03 | 50 | 78 | 31 |
Depth | 42.9 | 42.9 | 5.98 | 1.11 | 13.93 | 33 | 56 | 29 |
Diameter of aperture | 28.7 | 28.7 | 5.05 | 0.91 | 17.59 | 21 | 40 | 31 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.73 | 0.73 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 14.05 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 29 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.48 | 0.48 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 9.99 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 31 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Cyclopyxis eurystoma. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Apertural view showing general shape. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture. (H) Close up view of smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of aboral side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with large pieces of quartz.
Original description:
Synonyms: Centropyxis (Cyclopyxis) eurystoma Deflandre, 1929.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in soils, mosses and forest litter, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Cyclopyxis kahli. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 87.9 | 88.7 | 8.31 | 1.49 | 9.56 | 71 | 106 | 31 |
Depth | 60.7 | 59.5 | 7.96 | 1.45 | 13.11 | 46 | 88 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 28.8 | 29.4 | 4.41 | 0.79 | 15.34 | 20 | 39 | 31 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 12.35 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 31 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.69 | 0.70 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 10.46 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 30 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Cyclopyxis kahli. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-E) Apertural view of three specimens showing general shape. (F) Dorsal view. (G) Lateral view. (H) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its denticulate rim and smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of aboral side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with large pieces of quartz.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: In soils, mosses and forest litter, rarely and accidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rila Mts. (
Cyclopyxis puteus. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 155.7 | 155.4 | 9.26 | 1.16 | 5.95 | 133 | 179 | 64 |
Diameter of aperture | 44.5 | 44.6 | 4.14 | 0.59 | 9.31 | 32 | 54 | 53 |
Internal opening | 32.5 | 32.7 | 3.32 | 0.86 | 10.22 | 27 | 38 | 15 |
Depth | 105.1 | 107.5 | 9.54 | 2.88 | 9.08 | 94 | 120 | 11 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.28 | 0.29 | 0.02 | 0.003 | 7.02 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 37 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 4.56 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 11 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Cyclopyxis puteus. (A, B) Light micrographs showing general shape. (C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell (D-F) Apertural view of three specimens showing smooth apertural surface and deeply invaginated aperture. (G) Lateral view. (H) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its apertural tube and internal opening. (I) Detail of apertural side to illustrate its smooth surface and numerous pores in the organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia proteiformis subsp. globularis var. tuberculata Wallich, 1864; Difflugia tuberculata Archer, 1867; Difflugia lobostoma Leidy, 1879 (in part); Nebela tuberculata Owen and Jones, 1976; Difflugia tricuspis Medioli and Scott, 1983 (in part).
Description: Shell yellowish or brownish, circular in apertural and aboral views, ovoid or sub-spherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater standing bodies, among aquatic vegetation, accidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Netzelia oviformis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 103.3 | 102.0 | 11.88 | 1.73 | 11.50 | 85 | 129 | 47 |
Breadth | 78.5 | 80.0 | 8.16 | 1.19 | 10.39 | 66 | 93 | 47 |
Diameter of aperture | 25.9 | 25.0 | 2.68 | 0.39 | 10.34 | 22 | 33 | 47 |
Breadth /Length ratio | 0.76 | 0.76 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 4.43 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 47 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.03 | 0.004 | 8.12 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 47 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Netzelia oviformis. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to show numerous epipodes. (D, E) Lateral views of two specimens to show general shape. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate four lobes of aperture and narrow collar of small siliceous particles. (H) Close up view of a narrow collar of small pieces of quartz. (H) Detail of shell surface to illustrate regular arrangement of siliceous particles.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia proteiformis subsp. globularis var. tuberculata Wallich, 1864; Difflugia tuberculata Archer, 1867; Difflugia lobostoma Leidy, 1879 (in part); Nebela tuberculata Owen and Jones, 1976; Difflugia tricuspis Medioli and Scott, 1983 (in part).
Description: Shell brownish, opaque, circular in apertural and aboral views, ovoid or spherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater standing bodies, accidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Netzelia tuberculata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 123.9 | 119.5 | 12.48 | 1.60 | 10.07 | 111 | 153 | 61 |
Breadth | 112.4 | 106.5 | 12.06 | 1.54 | 10.73 | 99 | 146 | 61 |
Diameter of aperture | 34.4 | 33.5 | 3.86 | 0.49 | 11.24 | 29 | 42 | 61 |
Breadth /Length ratio | 0.91 | 0.91 | 0.03 | 0.004 | 3.44 | 0.83 | 0.97 | 61 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.31 | 0.30 | 0.03 | 0.004 | 11.04 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 61 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Netzelia tuberculata. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to show protruding pseudopods from the aperture. (D) Lateral view. (E) Apertural view showing general shape, as well as multilobed aperture. (F) Close up view of aperture to illustrate a narrow collar of small pieces of quartz and lobed aperture. (G) Close up view of a narrow collar of small pieces of quartz. (H) Detail of aboral side of the shell to illustrate regular arrangement of small protrubences. (I) Close up view of organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia arcula Leidy, 1879; Cystidina arcula (Leidy, 1879) Volz, 1929.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: In soils, mosses and forest litter, very rarely in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rila Mts. (
Trigonopyxis arcula. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 99.9 | 97.0 | 9.05 | 1.51 | 9.05 | 86 | 133 | 36 |
Diameter of aperture | 26.2 | 26.0 | 4.15 | 0.80 | 15.84 | 20 | 35 | 27 |
Depth | 59.9 | 58.5 | 8.95 | 2.00 | 14.93 | 47 | 74 | 20 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.60 | 0.59 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 12.90 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 20 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 12.47 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 27 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Trigonopyxis arcula. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens showing smooth apertural surface and characteristic triangular aperture. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G, H) Close up views of aperture to illustrate its variability in shape. (I) Detail of apertural side to illustrate its smooth surface and numerous pores in the organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia curvicaulis Penard, 1899; Difflugia acuminata var. umbilicata Penard, 1902; Difflugia venusta Ogden, 1983
Description: Shell brown, opaque, cylindrical or elongate pyriforme, with a pointed or acuminate aboral region, circular in transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym D. venusta (Rhodopes Mts.) .
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater habitats, less common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia acuminata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 248.8 | 230.7 | 49.44 | 5.95 | 19.87 | 169.5 | 346.0 | 69 |
Breadth | 94.9 | 96.0 | 5.80 | 0.70 | 6.10 | 82.0 | 110.3 | 69 |
Diameter of aperture | 45.6 | 45.0 | 6.71 | 0.81 | 14.72 | 30.6 | 62.1 | 69 |
Length of aboral horn | 27.8 | 26.1 | 9.47 | 1.68 | 34.12 | 13.0 | 57.0 | 69 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.39 | 0.41 | 0.07 | 0.009 | 17.93 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 69 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.48 | 0.49 | 0.07 | 0.008 | 14.09 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 69 |
Light (A, C, D) and scanning electron (B, E-I) micrographs of Difflugia acuminata. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, E) Lateral views of two specimens showing general shell shape. (D) View of live specimen to illustrate a single long endolobopodia. (F) Apertural view showing regular apertural outline. (G) Latero-apertural view to show apertural rim and surrounding, regularly arranged small particles (H) View of acuminate aboral region. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Description: Shell transparent, ovoid, circular in transverse section, tapering evenly from the mid-body position towards the aperture and rounded aboral region (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater sediments, less common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia ampullula. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 80.2 | 80.0 | 3.28 | 0.60 | 4.08 | 75 | 88 | 30 |
Breadth | 59.6 | 60.0 | 2.81 | 0.51 | 4.72 | 54 | 65 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 22.6 | 23.0 | 1.76 | 0.32 | 7.78 | 18 | 26 | 30 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.74 | 0.74 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 5.02 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 8.22 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 30 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Difflugia ampullula. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-D) Lateral view of two specimens showing regular outline and smooth shell surface. (E-F) Latero-apertural view to illustrate small collar. (G) Apertural view to show irregular edge of the collar. (H) Lateral view of apertural region. (I) Portion of shell surface to show arrangement of particles and small areas of organic cement in form of a network of small meshes.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia pyriformis var. bryophila Penard, 1902; Difflugia oblonga var. longicollis Gassowsky, 1936; Difflugia longicollis (Gassowsky, 1936) Ogden and Hedley, 1980; Difflugia gassowskii Ogden, 1983.
Description: Shell brown, opaque, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly to the aperture or forming a distinct short neck about one-third of the body length; rounded aboral region and circular transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym D. gassowskii (Rhodopes Mts., Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater habitats and in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia bryophila. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 129.4 | 129.1 | 10.54 | 1.89 | 8.15 | 109.9 | 148.8 | 31 |
Breadth | 61.1 | 60.1 | 6.64 | 1.19 | 10.88 | 52.8 | 78.3 | 31 |
Diameter of aperture | 25.6 | 25.4 | 2.90 | 0.52 | 11.30 | 21.1 | 31.3 | 31 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.47 | 0.48 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 10.07 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.42 | 0.44 | 0.06 | 0.010 | 13.12 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 31 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Difflugia bryophila. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Lateral view showing rough surface of the shell. (E) Apertural view. (F) Close up view of aperture to show bordering particles. (G) Lateral view of apertural rim showing its irregularity (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia amphoralis Hopkinson, 1909; Difflugia australis (Playfair, 1918) Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1958; Difflugia borodini Gassowsky, 1936; Difflugia elegans f. bicornis Jung, 1936; Difflugia elegans f. tricornis Jung, 1936; Difflugia juzephiniensis Dekhtyar, 1993; Difflugia leidyi Wailes, 1912; Difflugia Solowetskii Mereschkowsky, 1877; Difflugia tricornis (Jung, 1936) Ogden, 1983; Difflugia varians Penard, 1902
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, ovoid, with slightly pronounced neck near the aperture; aboral extremity tapering evenly to short tubular horn; uncompressed, with circular transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym D. amphoralis (Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater habitats, as well as in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia elegans. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 107.0 | 106.8 | 11.21 | 1.95 | 10.48 | 81 | 128 | 33 |
Breadth | 69.7 | 67.8 | 9.18 | 1.60 | 13.17 | 54 | 95 | 33 |
Diameter of aperture | 30.6 | 30.0 | 5.07 | 0.88 | 16.57 | 22 | 41 | 33 |
Length of horn | 15.6 | 14.9 | 7.70 | 1.68 | 49.40 | 4.4 | 39.6 | 21 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.65 | 0.64 | 0.08 | 0.013 | 11.56 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 33 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.08 | 0.014 | 18.03 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 33 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Difflugia elegans. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-E) Lateral view of three specimens. (F) View of specimen with clogged aperture. (G) Apertural view. (H) Lateral view of apertural region. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia proteiformis subsp. globularis Wallich, 1864; Difflugia globularis (Wallich, 1864) Leidy, 1877; Difflugia chardezi Godeanu, 1972.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, opaque, circular in apertural and aboral views, spherical or hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater standing bodies, as well as in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Difflugia globulosa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 85.3 | 83.8 | 6.29 | 1.14 | 7.35 | 76 | 100 | 30 |
Depth | 77.9 | 78.1 | 7.06 | 1.44 | 9.07 | 66 | 96 | 24 |
Diameter of aperture | 36.9 | 36.9 | 3.30 | 0.60 | 8.94 | 31 | 44 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.92 | 0.93 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 5.93 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 24 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.43 | 0.43 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 8.33 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 30 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Difflugia globulosa. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-D) Apertural view of two specimens showing general shape. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G, H) Close up views of aperture to illustrate its rough rim and circular outline. (I) Detail of aboral side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with sand grains and diatom frustules.
Original description:
Description: Shell transparent or yellow, pyriform, rounded aborally and tapering towards the aperture forming a distinct short neck (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Not well studied, probably cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia hiraethogii Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 207.1 | 206.0 | 20.90 | 3.48 | 10.09 | 174 | 254 | 36 |
Breadth | 133.3 | 130.5 | 9.80 | 1.63 | 7.35 | 106 | 157 | 36 |
Diameter of aperture | 61.5 | 58.4 | 9.20 | 1.53 | 14.98 | 52 | 86 | 36 |
Depth | 90.1 | 89.0 | 7.59 | 1.28 | 8.42 | 81 | 118 | 35 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 7.41 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 36 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.46 | 0.44 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 11.06 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 36 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Difflugia hiraethogii. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Broad lateral view of two individuals illustrating pyriform shape and distinct short neck. (E) Lateral view to show compression of the shell. (F) Apertural view (G) Close up view of aperture showing its irregular outline and surrounding angular particles of quartz. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of flattish particles to give a smooth surface. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Description: Shell transparent, elongate, circular in transverse section, tapering from the widest diameter, situated usually at two-thirds of the shell length from the aperture, with rounded aboral region, rarely tapering at both ends (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater sediments, less common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia lanceolata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 155.9 | 153.5 | 15.44 | 1.96 | 9.90 | 127 | 179 | 62 |
Breadth | 66.7 | 66.0 | 5.14 | 0.65 | 7.71 | 58 | 77 | 62 |
Diameter of aperture | 27.7 | 27.0 | 2.68 | 0.34 | 9.68 | 23 | 36 | 62 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.43 | 0.42 | 0.02 | 0.003 | 4.65 | 0.39 | 0.49 | 62 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.42 | 0.41 | 0.03 | 0.003 | 7.14 | 0.36 | 0.50 | 62 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Difflugia lanceolata. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to illustrate a single long endolobopodia. (D-F) View of three specimens to show variability of shell shape. (G) Apertural view showing aperture outline and thin organic collar. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of siliceous particles to give a smooth surface. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellowish or brownish, opaque, circular in apertural and aboral views, spherical or hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater standing bodies, accidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Difflugia lobostoma. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 173.9 | 173.0 | 12.16 | 2.22 | 6.99 | 150 | 198 | 30 |
Depth | 166.3 | 161.5 | 12.41 | 2.27 | 7.46 | 147 | 191 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 56.8 | 54.0 | 6.02 | 1.10 | 10.61 | 47 | 69 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.96 | 0.95 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 6.23 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 30 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.02 | 0.003 | 5.75 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 30 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Difflugia lobostoma. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to illustrate numerous pseudopodia. (D) Lateral view. (E, F) Apertural view of two specimens showing general shape, as well as tri- and four lobed aperture. (G, H) Close up views of aperture to illustrate its rough rim and trilobed aperture. (I) Portion of shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with sand grains.
Original description:
Description: Shell hyaline, ovoid, rounded aborally and tapering gradually towards the aperture (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in mosses, soil and forest litter, as well as in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia lucida Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 73.5 | 73.2 | 4.62 | 0.82 | 6.29 | 65 | 83 | 32 |
Breadth | 46.7 | 47.1 | 4.01 | 0.71 | 8.59 | 33 | 56 | 32 |
Large axis of aperture | 29.2 | 29.5 | 4.12 | 0.73 | 14.08 | 20 | 41 | 32 |
Depth | 30.5 | 30.8 | 3.78 | 0.81 | 12.38 | 22 | 36 | 22 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.07 | 0.012 | 10.85 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 32 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.63 | 0.63 | 0.06 | 0.011 | 10.30 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 32 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Difflugia lucida. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Broad lateral view illustrating smooth shell surface. (E) Apertural view to show elliptical aperture. (F) Lateral view to show compression of the shell. (G) Broad lateral view of aperture to show surrounding and irregularly arranged particles of quartz, giving to it a rough outline. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of flattish particles to give a smooth surface. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description: Ehrenberg 1831, Abhandlungen der Königlichen Akademie der Wissenszchaften zu Berlin, 31, p. 90.
Synonyms: Difflugia bacillifera Penard, 1890; Difflugia lacustris (Penard, 1899) Ogden, 1983; Difflugia oblonga f. cyphodera Jung, 1942; Difflugia oblong var. incondita Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1958; Difflugia oblonga var. lacustris Cash and Hopkinson, 1909; Difflugia oblonga var. parva Thomas, 1954; Difflugia parva (Thomas, 1954) Ogden, 1983; Difflugia pyriformis var. lacustris Penard, 1899
Description: Shell brown, opaque, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly to the aperture or forming a distinct neck about one-third of the body length, with rounded aboral region and circular transverse section (Fig.
Notes: Besides the nominal species, the synonyms D. parva (Rhodopes Mts., Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.), D. lacustris (Rhodopes Mts., Vitosha Mts.), D. bacillifera (Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.) and infrasubspecific taxa D. oblonga var. lacustris (Vitosha Mts.) and D. oblonga var. parva (Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.) have also been recorded. According to us the synonymization of D. parva and D. bacillifera with D. oblonga needs confirmation with molecular methods.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater habitats, as well as in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia oblonga. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 242.7 | 238.7 | 46.5 | 8.49 | 19.16 | 180 | 341 | 30 |
Breadth | 130.4 | 121.6 | 30.4 | 5.55 | 12.3 | 94 | 199 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 45.9 | 45.9 | 8.0 | 1.47 | 17.53 | 31 | 61 | 30 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 10.01 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.36 | 0.36 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 17.06 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 30 |
Light (A, C, D) and scanning electron (B, E-I) micrographs of Difflugia oblonga. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) View of two live specimens to illustrate a single long endolobopodia. (E) Lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia fallax Penard, 1890; Difflugia pyriformis var. tenuis Penard, 1890; Difflugia manicata Penard, 1902; Difflugia oblonga var. tenuis Wailes and Penard, 1911; Difflugia tenuis (Penard, 1890) Ogden, 1983.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, elongate or ovoid, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, circular in transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym Difflugia manicata (Rhodopes Mts., Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater habitats and in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia penardi. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 83.0 | 81.0 | 7.90 | 1.37 | 9.51 | 74 | 101 | 33 |
Breadth | 45.2 | 45.1 | 5.42 | 0.94 | 11.99 | 38 | 62 | 33 |
Diameter of aperture | 22.9 | 21.5 | 4.95 | 0.86 | 21.7 | 15 | 37 | 33 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.55 | 0.55 | 0.06 | 0.010 | 10.62 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 33 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.10 | 0.018 | 20.03 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 33 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Difflugia penardi. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D-E) Lateral view of two specimens showing rough surface of the shell. (F) Latero-apertural view. (G) Apertural view. (H) Close up view of aperture to show bordering small particles. (I) Portion of shell to illustrate arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia minuta var. minor Godeanu, 1972; Difflugia ovalisina Beyens et Chardez, 1994.
Description: Shell transparent, ovoid, circular in transverse section, tapering evenly from the mid-body position towards the aperture, with rounded aboral region (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater sediments and in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia pulex. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 38.1 | 38.7 | 3.81 | 0.95 | 10.00 | 27 | 43 | 16 |
Width | 27.4 | 27.9 | 4.26 | 1.06 | 15.56 | 17 | 36 | 16 |
Aperture diameter | 12.9 | 13.7 | 1.69 | 0.42 | 13.05 | 10 | 15 | 16 |
Width/Length ratio | 0.72 | 0.73 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 11.67 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 16 |
Aperture diameter/Width ratio | 0.48 | 0.48 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 12.85 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 16 |
Scanning electron micrographs of Difflugia pulex. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-E) Lateral view of three specimens showing different shape and shell structure. (F) Latero-apertural view. (G) Apertural view to show its irregular edge. (H, I) Portion of shell surface to show arrangement of flattish particles and small areas of organic cement with single small pores.
Original description:
Description: Shell brown, opaque, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly to the aperture or forming a distinct neck about one-third of the body length; rounded aboral region and circular transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater standing bodies, accidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Difflugia pyriformis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 342.2 | 344.7 | 20.18 | 3.19 | 5.90 | 297 | 383 | 40 |
Width | 195.9 | 196.6 | 13.09 | 2.07 | 6.68 | 152 | 225 | 40 |
Aperture diameter | 64.6 | 63.6 | 7.20 | 1.14 | 11.15 | 47 | 78 | 40 |
Width/Length ratio | 0.57 | 0.58 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 7.83 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 40 |
Aperture diameter/Width ratio | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 11.89 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 40 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Difflugia pyriformis. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to illustrate a single long endolobopodia and granular cytoplasm with symbiotic zoochlorelae. (D, E) Lateral views of two individuals to show general shape. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture showing its circular outline and surrounding small particles of quartz. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellow or brown, transparent, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, circular in transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia rubescens. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 72.7 | 71.1 | 7.50 | 1.22 | 10.31 | 56 | 91 | 38 |
Breadth | 45.4 | 46.2 | 5.73 | 0.93 | 12.63 | 32 | 59 | 38 |
Diameter of aperture | 20.1 | 20.5 | 3.62 | 0.59 | 18.02 | 13 | 27 | 38 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.63 | 0.63 | 0.07 | 0.012 | 11.46 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 38 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.44 | 0.45 | 0.06 | 0.010 | 13.33 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 38 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Difflugia rubescens. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of encysted specimen. (D-E) Lateral view of two specimens to illustrate rough surface of the shell. (F) Apertural view. (G-H) Close up view of aperture showing the bordering crenulated organic collar. (I) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia urceolata var. olla Leidy, 1879; Difflugia urceolata var. sphaerica Playfair, 1917.
Description: Shell large, opaque, ovoid or circular, sometimes with irregular aboral protruberances and a pronounced thick apical collar (Fig.
Ecology: Common in freshwater sediments, incidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia urceolata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 295.0 | 296.2 | 33.60 | 5.68 | 11.39 | 219 | 378 | 35 |
Breadth | 253.7 | 244.7 | 37.71 | 6.37 | 14.86 | 176 | 342 | 35 |
Diameter of aperture | 161.5 | 156.0 | 15.96 | 2.70 | 9.89 | 133 | 186 | 35 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.86 | 0.85 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 7.70 | 0.75 | 0.98 | 35 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 15.97 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 35 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Difflugia urceolata. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Lateral view. (E) Latero-apertural view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture to show its regular outline. (H) Lateral view of apertural region to illustrate the surrounding collar made of small quartz particles. (I) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia lemani Blanc, 1892; Difflugia histrio Penard, 1908; Difflugia lemani var. palustris Chardez, 1956; Difflugia lebes var. masurica Schönborn, 1965; Difflugia lebes var. bretschkoi Laminger, 1971; Difflugia finstertaliensis Laminger, 1971.
Description: Shell large, opaque, ovoid, circular in transverse section, tapering evenly from the mid-body position towards the aperture, with rounded aboral region (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded as nominal species, as synonym D. lemani, as infrasubspecific taxon D. lemani var. palustris and as Difflugia sp. (Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Common in freshwater sediments, less frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Difflugia viscidula. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 230.9 | 228.7 | 15.18 | 2.77 | 6.57 | 200 | 267 | 30 |
Breadth | 171.2 | 170.0 | 12.16 | 2.22 | 7.10 | 149 | 204 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 86.1 | 86.0 | 14.44 | 2.64 | 16.78 | 64 | 108 | 30 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.74 | 0.75 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 8.72 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.50 | 0.51 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 15.87 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 30 |
Light (A, C, D) and scanning electron (B, E-I) micrographs of Difflugia viscidula. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-D) Lateral view of two live specimens showing different types of pseudopodia. (E) Lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture to show its regular outline. (H) Lateral view of apertural region. (I) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell.
Original description:
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, consists of two parts, an ovoid or globular body and an oblique, long neck, clearly separated from each other with deep groove (Fig.
Synonyms: Lecquereusia jurassica var. epistomium Penard, 1893; Lecquereusia epistomium Penard, 1902.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Lesquereusia epistomium. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 122.0 | 121.4 | 6.94 | 1.25 | 5.69 | 104 | 138 | 31 |
Breadth | 86.5 | 85.9 | 7.42 | 1.35 | 8.58 | 72 | 105 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 23.3 | 22.6 | 3.57 | 0.65 | 15.30 | 19 | 33 | 30 |
Depth | 73.1 | 72.0 | 5.02 | 1.26 | 6.87 | 66 | 86 | 16 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.71 | 0.70 | 0.04 | 0.008 | 6.14 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 29 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.27 | 0.26 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 14.35 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 30 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Lesquereusia epistomium. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to illustrate granular cytoplasm and long pseudopodia. (D) Broad lateral view to show general shape. (E) Narrow lateral view to illustrate clear distinction between body and neck. (F) Lateral view of apertural region. (G) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of siliceous curved rods. (H, I) Close up view of network of organic cement and porous structure of meshes.
Original description:
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, unsymmetrically-ovoid or pyriforme, with globular body and an oblique neck, clearly separated from the body with deep ventral groove and well-expressed fold of the dorsal side, forming an internal opening (Fig.
Notes: Lesquereusia gibbosa differs from L. spiralis by its larger size, shorter and voluminous rods, structure of meshes of the organic cement and presence of a well-expressed fold of the dorsal side.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, less frequent.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Lesquereusia gibbosa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 149.2 | 148.4 | 11.72 | 1.95 | 7.85 | 131 | 188 | 36 |
Breadth | 125.5 | 125.0 | 10.21 | 1.86 | 8.14 | 96 | 140 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 31.3 | 32.0 | 3.81 | 0.63 | 12.17 | 20 | 39 | 37 |
Depth | 95.9 | 96.2 | 7.73 | 2.07 | 8.06 | 74 | 110 | 14 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.84 | 0.84 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 5.38 | 0.72 | 0.95 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 12.03 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 29 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Lesquereusia gibbosa. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm and long pseudopodia. (D, E) Broad lateral view of two individuals to show general shape. (F) Narrow lateral view. (G) Apertural view. (H) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of siliceous curved rods and network of organic cement. (I) Close up view of a network of organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia spiralis Leidy, 1879 (in part).
Description: Shell colourless, unsymmetrically-ovoid or circular, with globular body and short, oblique neck, separated with groove (Fig.
Notes: Lesquereusia modesta is similar to L. spiralis by shell shape and size, but clearly differs from it by structure of the shell, which is rough and composed mainly of small to medium pieces of quartz.
Ecology: In standing freshwater basins, less frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Lesquereusia modesta. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 126.2 | 125.9 | 8.14 | 1.40 | 6.45 | 111 | 144 | 34 |
Breadth | 104.0 | 102.5 | 9.57 | 1.75 | 9.20 | 85 | 120 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 30.2 | 29.8 | 4.39 | 0.76 | 14.56 | 23 | 38 | 33 |
Depth | 87.7 | 86.5 | 6.51 | 1.53 | 7.42 | 76 | 99 | 18 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.82 | 0.82 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 6.22 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 12.62 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 30 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Lesquereusia modesta. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Broad lateral view. (E) Narrow lateral view. (F) Close up view of aperture showing its circular outline and bordering small particles of quartz. (G) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of sand grains of quartz. (H, I) Close up view of a network of organic cement and porous structure of meshes.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia spiralis Ehrenberg, 1840; Lecquereusia jurassica Schlumberger, 1845; Difflugia helix Cohn, 1853.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, unsymmetrically-ovoid or pyriforme, with globular body and short, oblique neck, separated with deep groove (Fig.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Lesquereusia spiralis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 114.7 | 113.5 | 8.81 | 1.53 | 7.68 | 102 | 146 | 33 |
Breadth | 96.8 | 97.4 | 7.18 | 1.29 | 7.42 | 82 | 121 | 31 |
Diameter of aperture | 25.9 | 26.0 | 2.35 | 0.41 | 9.05 | 21 | 32 | 33 |
Depth | 72.0 | 71.9 | 5.62 | 1.40 | 7.81 | 63 | 90 | 16 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.85 | 0.84 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 6.38 | 0.75 | 0.96 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.27 | 0.27 | 0.02 | 0.004 | 7.51 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 31 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Lesquereusia spiralis. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm and pseudopodia. (D) Broad lateral view. (E) Narrow lateral view. (F) Apertural view (G) Close up view of aperture to show its circular outline and bordering siliceous rods. (H) Lateral view of apertural region. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of siliceous curved rods and network of organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella aculeata Ehrenberg, 1830; Difflugia aculeata Perty, 1852; Echinopyxis aculeata Claparède et Lachmann, 1859.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, ovoid or circular, usually with about four to eight lateral spines (Fig.
Notes: Besides the nominal species two infrasubspecific taxa Centropyxis aculeata var. oblonga Deflandre, 1929 and Centropyxis aculeata var. grandis Deflandre, 1929 have also been recorded.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum and standing freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis aculeata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 128.1 | 126.7 | 14.22 | 2.60 | 11.10 | 98 | 165 | 30 |
Breadth | 94.0 | 96.1 | 19.41 | 3.54 | 20.64 | 58 | 133 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 45.8 | 46.3 | 7.08 | 1.29 | 15.47 | 33 | 58 | 30 |
Depth | 60.9 | 61.6 | 7.40 | 2.05 | 12.15 | 48 | 78 | 13 |
Spines | 24.0 | 23.1 | 6.88 | 1.26 | 28.72 | 10 | 35 | 30 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.73 | 0.73 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 15.13 | 0.50 | 0.99 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.50 | 0.48 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 16.98 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 30 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Centropyxis aculeata. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens to illustrate general shape and shell structure. (E) Aboral view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its circular shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (H, I) Details of posterior end of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with sand grains and diatom frustules.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia constricta Ehrenberg, 1838; Arcella arctiscon Ehrenberg, 1854.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, ovoid, considerably flattened in the apertural region (Fig.
Notes: Besides the nominal species, the infrasubspecific taxon Centropyxis aerophila var. sphagnicola Deflandre, 1929 has also been recorded (Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Ubiquitous.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis aerophila. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 70.0 | 69.0 | 6.76 | 1.21 | 9.66 | 59 | 86 | 31 |
Breadth | 57.6 | 56.2 | 5.85 | 1.05 | 10.15 | 49 | 72 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 30.3 | 30.8 | 4.73 | 0.85 | 15.62 | 22 | 39 | 31 |
Depth | 42.8 | 40.7 | 5.92 | 1.21 | 13.83 | 37 | 59 | 24 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.82 | 0.82 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 6.44 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 13.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 31 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Centropyxis aerophila. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Apertural view to illustrate general shape and shell structure. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G, H) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its oval shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (I) Detail of dorsal side to illustrate its rough surface, covered with small to medium sand grains.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia cassis Wallich, 1864.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, roughly ovoid, with almost parallel sides and rounded edges (Fig.
Ecology: Ubiquitous.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis cassis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 68.0 | 66.9 | 5.90 | 1.08 | 8.67 | 60 | 82 | 30 |
Breadth | 54.6 | 52.5 | 5.80 | 1.06 | 10.62 | 47 | 68 | 30 |
Large axis of aperture | 30.4 | 29.4 | 4.50 | 0.82 | 14.79 | 24 | 41 | 30 |
Depth | 42.2 | 39.7 | 7.72 | 2.06 | 18.28 | 32 | 58 | 14 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.80 | 0.81 | 0.04 | 0.008 | 5.28 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.56 | 0.55 | 0.04 | 0.008 | 7.87 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 30 |
Scanning electron micrographs of Centropyxis cassis. (A) View of many specimens showing variability in shape and size of the shell. (B, C) Apertural view of two specimens to illustrate general shape and shell structure. (D) Dorsal view. (E) Latero-apertural view. (F) Latero-dorsal view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its oval shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (H) Detail of apertural side to illustrate its smooth surface. (I) Detail of dorsal side to illustrate its rough surface, covered with small to medium sand grains.
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella constricta Ehrenberg, 1841; Difflugia constricta Leidy, 1879 (in part).
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, elongated-ovoid, rounded posteriorly and tapered gradually towards the aperture (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in mosses, forest litter and soils, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis constricta. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 107.0 | 106.0 | 9.94 | 1.68 | 9.30 | 87 | 126 | 35 |
Breadth | 74.3 | 74.8 | 4.63 | 0.83 | 6.23 | 65 | 88 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 38.7 | 39.6 | 4.40 | 0.82 | 11.37 | 30 | 50 | 29 |
Depth | 70.5 | 71.0 | 7.85 | 1.96 | 11.14 | 46 | 80 | 16 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.69 | 0.70 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 7.38 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.52 | 0.53 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 11.24 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 29 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Centropyxis constricta. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Apertural view to illustrate general shape and shell structure. (E) Latero-apertural view. (F) Latero-dorsal view. (G) Close up view of aperture to show its oval shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (H) Detail of apertural side showing its smooth surface. (I) Detail of dorsal side to illustrate its rough surface, covered with small to medium sand grains.
Original description:
Synonyms: Centropyxis aculeata var. discoides Penard, 1890
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular and usually with numerous spines on the lateral margins (Fig.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum and standing freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis discoides. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 168.5 | 164.7 | 16.68 | 2.95 | 9.90 | 141 | 207 | 32 |
Diameter of aperture | 54.1 | 51.6 | 10.28 | 1.82 | 19.02 | 36 | 76 | 32 |
Depth | 67.2 | 66.4 | 11.19 | 2.50 | 16.65 | 51 | 95 | 20 |
Spines | 17.3 | 17.1 | 5.71 | 1.04 | 32.94 | 8 | 36 | 30 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 13.15 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 32 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 17.19 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 20 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Centropyxis discoides. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens to illustrate general shape and shell structure. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view showing smooth apertural surface and disposition of spines on the lateral margin. (H) Close up view of a single spine to show its structure. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with sand grains and diatom frustules.
Original description:
Synonyms: Arcella ecornis Ehrenberg, 1841.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum and standing freshwater bodies.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis ecornis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 137.7 | 138.3 | 9.96 | 1.73 | 7.23 | 122 | 154 | 33 |
Diameter of aperture | 63.7 | 63.2 | 7.69 | 1.40 | 12.07 | 50 | 83 | 30 |
Depth | 73.7 | 76.4 | 7.67 | 2.31 | 10.40 | 55 | 81 | 11 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.46 | 0.46 | 0.04 | 0.008 | 9.48 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.52 | 0.53 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 10.33 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 11 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Centropyxis ecornis. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens showing general shape and shell structure. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture to show its irregular outline. (H) Detail of smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with sand grains.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia constricta var. elongata Penard, 1890.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, elongate (Fig.
Notes: C. elongata is similar to C. platystoma but differs from it by the more elongated and flattened shell as well as by the absence of a sharp border between the main body and the visor when viewed laterally.
Ecology: Frequent in mosses, forest litter and soils, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis elongata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 68.2 | 69.2 | 6.59 | 0.95 | 9.67 | 64 | 81 | 48 |
Breadth | 38.7 | 40.3 | 4.94 | 0.71 | 12.76 | 22 | 46 | 48 |
Diameter of aperture | 23.1 | 22.8 | 3.12 | 0.45 | 13.53 | 16 | 30 | 48 |
Depth | 33.4 | 34.1 | 3.98 | 0.64 | 11.90 | 27 | 41 | 39 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.57 | 0.57 | 0.06 | 0.009 | 10.71 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 48 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.60 | 0.60 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 13.18 | 0.5 | 0.96 | 48 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Centropyxis elongata. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens to show general shape and shell structure. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture. (H) Detail of smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of aboral side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with flattish particles.
Original description:
Description: Shell colorless or yellowish, ovoid or circular, usually with about four to eight lateral spines (Fig.
Ecology: In Sphagnum and standing freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation, very rare.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Centropyxis gibba. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 127.0 | 126.2 | 13.22 | 2.34 | 10.41 | 105 | 152 | 32 |
Breadth | 92.8 | 90.0 | 9.83 | 1.77 | 10.60 | 74 | 116 | 31 |
Diameter of aperture | 48.9 | 48.3 | 5.93 | 1.05 | 12.11 | 37 | 63 | 32 |
Depth | 77.6 | 80.6 | 9.55 | 2.88 | 12.31 | 62 | 93 | 11 |
Spines | 26.4 | 26.8 | 5.66 | 1.03 | 21.46 | 15 | 38 | 30 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.74 | 0.74 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 8.62 | 0.60 | 0.95 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.53 | 0.52 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 9.05 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 30 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Centropyxis giba. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens to illustrate general shape and shell structure. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its circular shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (H) Close up view of a single spine to show its structure. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered mainly with diatom frustules.
Original description:
Description: Shell colorless or yellowish, roughly circular (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in aerophilic mosses and soils, very rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Centropyxis laevigata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 80.9 | 80.5 | 6.69 | 1.05 | 8.28 | 71 | 99 | 41 |
Diameter of aperture | 25.5 | 25.0 | 3.99 | 0.72 | 15.63 | 18 | 34 | 31 |
Depth | 36.5 | 36.2 | 3.49 | 1.05 | 9.57 | 32 | 43 | 11 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 12.95 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 31 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.47 | 0.45 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 13.03 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 11 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Centropyxis laevigata. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Apertural view to show general shape and shell structure. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture showing its circular shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (H) Detail of smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with sand grains.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in forest mosses and soils, very rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis orbicularis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 138.3 | 139.8 | 10.09 | 1.84 | 7.30 | 115 | 155 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 71.9 | 71.0 | 7.57 | 1.38 | 10.51 | 55 | 83 | 30 |
Depth | 89.0 | 90.6 | 5.47 | 1.65 | 6.14 | 74 | 94 | 11 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.52 | 0.52 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 10.50 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.67 | 0.65 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 8.15 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 11 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Centropyxis orbicularis. (A-B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view showing general shape and shell structure. (E) Dorsal view. (F) Lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its oval or elliptical shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (H) Detail of smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered mainly with flattish particles.
Original description:
Description: Shell yellow or brown, circular (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in forest mosses, litter and soils, very rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Centropyxis plagiostoma. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 119.8 | 120.0 | 5.20 | 0.93 | 4.34 | 111 | 131 | 31 |
Diameter of aperture | 29.2 | 29.2 | 3.99 | 0.83 | 13.68 | 22 | 35 | 23 |
Depth | 63.4 | 63.3 | 3.71 | 1.12 | 5.85 | 58 | 69 | 11 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.03 | 0.007 | 13.04 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 23 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.52 | 0.52 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 7.08 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 11 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Centropyxis plagiostoma. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-E) Apertural view of three specimens showing general shape and shell structure. (F) Dorsal view. (G) Lateral view. (H) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its denticulate shape. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with pieces of quartz.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia platystoma Penard, 1890; Difflugia constricta p. p. Leidy, 1879, PL. XVIII, figs. 20-21; Difflugia constricta p. p. Penard, 1902, p. 299, figs. 8, 11, 12.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, elongate (Fig.
Notes: C. platystoma is similar to C. elongata but differs from it by the rounded and subspherical aboral region, highly compressed visor and sharp border between the main body and the visor when viewed laterally.
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum and standing freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis platystoma. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 115.0 | 114.6 | 6.90 | 1.09 | 6.00 | 101 | 132 | 40 |
Breadth | 78.6 | 80.0 | 6.10 | 1.10 | 7.76 | 64 | 88 | 31 |
Diameter of aperture | 42.6 | 42.4 | 3.80 | 0.69 | 8.93 | 35 | 51 | 30 |
Depth | 72.7 | 73.5 | 3.07 | 0.93 | 4.23 | 68 | 77 | 11 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.69 | 0.69 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 6.70 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 7.90 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 30 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Centropyxis platystoma. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D, E) Apertural view of two specimens showing general shape and shell structure. (F) Lateral view. (G) Dorsal view. (H) Close up view of aperture. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with medium to large pieces of quartz.
Original description:
Synonyms: Centropyxis aculeata var. spinosa Cash, 1905.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, ovoid or circular, usually with four to ten lateral spines (Fig.
Ecology: In Sphagnum and standing freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation, rare.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Centropyxis spinosa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 123.0 | 124.2 | 7.13 | 1.22 | 5.80 | 107 | 136 | 34 |
Diameter of aperture | 32.6 | 32.6 | 2.33 | 0.43 | 7.15 | 28 | 37 | 30 |
Depth | 43.1 | 42.5 | 1.70 | 0.85 | 3.95 | 42 | 46 | 4 |
Spines | 19.8 | 19.8 | 3.03 | 0.52 | 15.29 | 14 | 28 | 34 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.02 | 0.004 | 8.12 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.009 | 0.005 | 2.43 | 0.37 | 0.39 | 4 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Centropyxis spinosa. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view of two specimens to show general shape and shell structure. (E) Lateral view. (F) Latero-dorsal view. (G) Close up view of aperture showing its circular shape and smooth surface around the aperture. (H) Detail of posterior end of the shell to illustrate shape and structure of spines. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell showing its rough surface, covered mainly with flattish particles.
Original description:
Synonyms: Bulinella indica Penard, 1907; Bullinula indica Penard, 1911.
Description: Shell dark brown, opaque, oval or circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Aerophilic, frequent in brown mosses, very rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Bullinularia indica. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 160.3 | 161.8 | 8.99 | 1.57 | 5.61 | 136 | 175 | 33 |
Breadth | 183.1 | 183.6 | 10.61 | 1.62 | 5.80 | 156 | 206 | 34 |
Large axis of aperture | 80.4 | 82.8 | 9.12 | 1.56 | 11.35 | 57 | 93 | 34 |
Depth | 117.6 | 117.1 | 9.65 | 2.91 | 8.20 | 100 | 132 | 11 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 1.14 | 1.14 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 4.35 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 33 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 9.50 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 34 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Bullinularia indica. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural views showing smooth apertural surface, characteristic aperture and large surrounding pores. (E) Lateral view. (F) Dorsal view. (G, H) Close up views of aperture to show its characteristic shape as an narrow, elongated slit. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with large pieces of quartz.
Original description:
Synonyms: Bullinula indica var. callida Jung, 1936.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, opaque, oval or circular in apertural and dorsal views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in soils and brown mosses, accidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Plagiopyxis callida. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 97.5 | 97.8 | 4.04 | 0.64 | 4.15 | 87 | 107 | 40 |
Breadth | 98.9 | 101.6 | 8.89 | 1.48 | 8.99 | 70 | 107 | 36 |
Large axis of aperture | 52.3 | 53.7 | 6.14 | 1.25 | 11.75 | 40 | 61 | 24 |
Depth | 70.2 | 69.6 | 6.16 | 1.78 | 8.78 | 57 | 78 | 12 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 1.01 | 1.03 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 7.52 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 32 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.54 | 0.55 | 0.04 | 0.009 | 7.75 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 24 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Plagiopyxis callida. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Apertural view showing general shape. (E) Dorsal view (F, G) Lateral view. (H) Close up view of aperture showing its oval shape and smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its smooth surface, covered with flattish particles embedded in a thick layer of organic cement.
Original description:
Description: Shell colorless or yellowish, circular or broadly oval in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in soils and brown mosses, accidentally in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Plagiopyxis declivis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 75.1 | 76.0 | 4.29 | 0.73 | 5.71 | 65 | 82 | 35 |
Breadth | 76.2 | 77.0 | 4.37 | 0.83 | 5.73 | 66 | 82 | 28 |
Large axis of aperture | 27.6 | 27.0 | 3.70 | 0.87 | 13.4 | 23 | 34 | 24 |
Depth | 37.7 | 38.5 | 2.67 | 0.85 | 7.10 | 33 | 41 | 10 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 1.00 | 1.01 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 3.61 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 26 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.04 | 0.009 | 10.04 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 17 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Plagiopyxis declivis. (A-C) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Apertural view showing general shape. (E) Dorsal view (F, G) Lateral views. (H) Close up view of aperture showing its shape as a narrow slit and smooth apertural surface. (I) Detail of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with pieces of quartz.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela collaris Leidy, 1879 (pars); Nebela militaris Penard, 1890.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, elongate-ovoid or pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, forming short neck (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded as Nebela militaris.
Ecology: Aerophilic, in dry Sphagnum, as well as in brown mosses and forest litter.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Alabasta militaris. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 70.1 | 68.5 | 5.45 | 0.98 | 7.77 | 62 | 87 | 31 |
Breadth | 37.1 | 37.1 | 2.24 | 0.40 | 6.01 | 34 | 44 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 17.9 | 18.5 | 1.89 | 0.34 | 10.56 | 12 | 20 | 31 |
Depth | 23.5 | 23.0 | 2.96 | 0.69 | 12.59 | 21 | 32 | 18 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.53 | 0.54 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 6.46 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.48 | 0.49 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 10.47 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 31 |
Light (A-C) and scanning electron (D-I) micrographs of Alabasta militaris. (A, B) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-E) Broad lateral view of three individuals to show the general shape. (F) Broad lateral view of apertural region showing strongly curved, fan-shaped aperture. (G) Narrow lateral view of aperture to illustrate its deep lateral notch and thick collar of organic cement. (H, I) Details of shell surface showing different shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela galeata Penard, 1890.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym N. galeata.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Gibbocarina galeata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 193.2 | 190.8 | 17.93 | 3.27 | 9.28 | 168 | 250 | 30 |
Breadth | 115.7 | 114.5 | 18.02 | 3.29 | 15.58 | 83 | 158 | 30 |
Large axis of aperture | 40.4 | 39.6 | 4.73 | 0.86 | 11.71 | 28 | 52 | 30 |
Depth | 63.4 | 65.2 | 4.95 | 1.08 | 7.81 | 55 | 73 | 21 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.60 | 0.59 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 11.06 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 13.36 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 30 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Gibbocarina galeata. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to show granular cytoplasm, pseudopodia and epipodes. (D) Broad lateral view showing general shape. (E) Narrow lateral view to illustrate hollow tuberous keel. (F) Apertural view. (G) Lateral view of aperture. (H) Close up view of tuberous keel surrounding posterior end of the shell. (I) Close up view of aperture showing its oval outline and thin apertural collar.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia (Catharia) papilio Leidy, 1874.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, transparent, smooth, ovoid, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture; laterally compressed, elliptical in transverse section; with two or more pores on lateral margins (Fig.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mt. (
Hyalosphenia papilio. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 116.4 | 116.7 | 5.72 | 1.03 | 4.92 | 106 | 129 | 31 |
Breadth | 68.8 | 69.1 | 6.07 | 1.03 | 8.82 | 54 | 82 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 33.0 | 33.1 | 3.39 | 0.61 | 10.27 | 27 | 40 | 31 |
Depth | 38.9 | 38.9 | 3.43 | 0.66 | 8.82 | 33 | 44 | 27 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.59 | 0.59 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 7.00 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.48 | 0.48 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 7.64 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 31 |
Light (A-E) and scanning electron (F-I) micrographs of Hyalosphenia papilio. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) View of live specimen to illustrate the cytoplasm with symbiotic zoochlorellae, pseudopodia and epipodes. (E) View of encysted specimen showing round cyst. (F) Broad lateral view. (G) Narrow lateral view. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (I) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its elliptical shape and bordering thick collar of organic cement.
Original description:
Description: Shell colourless, elongated-cylindrical, with distinct short neck and rounded aboral region (Fig.
Notes: L. ampulla can clearly be discriminated from L. penardiana by its elongated cylindrical shell, almost uncompressed laterally and flattened in the region of the neck only; absence of lateral margins and lateral pores; view of the aperture which is not convex but rather truncate and not concave in lateral view; structure of the shell which is composed mainly of small oval, rarely circular shell plates, embedded in a thick layer of organic cement.
Ecology: L. ampulla is found in wet moss Sphagnum flexuosum, growing on a small mire in a mixed deciduous forest of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and birch (Betula pendula L.); rare species with a low density.
Geographical distribution: Recently described from Bulgaria; unknown distribution.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Stara Planina Mts. (
Longinebela ampulla. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 125.8 | 125.9 | 3.53 | 0.61 | 2.81 | 117 | 131 | 33 |
Breadth | 45.9 | 45.6 | 1.92 | 0.33 | 4.18 | 43 | 51 | 33 |
Depth | 43.2 | 43.2 | 0.82 | 0.16 | 1.90 | 42 | 45 | 27 |
Large axis of aperture | 23.5 | 23.7 | 1.37 | 0.24 | 5.83 | 21 | 27 | 33 |
Small axis of aperture | 12.4 | 11.9 | 1.32 | 0.25 | 10.6 | 10 | 16 | 27 |
Length of neck | 6.6 | 6.5 | 1.05 | 0.18 | 15.9 | 5 | 9 | 27 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.36 | 0.36 | 0.01 | 0.002 | 2.78 | 0.35 | 0.39 | 33 |
Depth/Breadth ratio | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.02 | 0.003 | 2.10 | 0.92 | 0.99 | 27 |
Light (A-C) and scanning electron (D-I) micrographs of Longinebela ampulla. (A-E) Broad lateral views to illustrate characteristic form of the ampoule. (F) Narrow lateral view showing absence of lateral compression, lateral margins and pores. (G) Broad lateral view of the apertural region to show distinct short neck and shell strucrure. (H) Apertural view showing aperture outline and thin apertural collar. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shell plates and abundant organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela golemanskyi Todorov, 2010.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, forming short neck (Fig.
Notes: Longinebela golemanskyi differs from L. speciosa by its uncompressed shell, characteristic voluminous shell-plates, absence of lateral margins and roughly circular, non convex but truncate aperture. The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as N. golemanskyi.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, very rare.
Geographical distribution: Recently described from Bulgaria; unknown distribution.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Vitosha Mts. (
Longinebela golemanskyi. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 212.8 | 212.5 | 9.47 | 1.58 | 4.45 | 198 | 239 | 36 |
Breadth | 118.0 | 117.8 | 5.77 | 0.96 | 4.89 | 105 | 132 | 36 |
Large axis of aperture | 39.2 | 39.0 | 2.31 | 0.38 | 5.90 | 36 | 45 | 36 |
Depth | 94.8 | 94.5 | 3.28 | 0.67 | 3.46 | 89 | 100 | 24 |
Breadth /Length ratio | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 5.41 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 36 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.02 | 0.003 | 6.22 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 36 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Longinebela golemanskyi. (A-D) Broad lateral view to illustrate general shape and characteristic voluminous siliceous shell-plates. (E) Latero-apertural view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture showing aperture outline and collar of organic cement. (H) Lateral view of apertural region. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela penardiana Deflandre, 1936.
Description: Shell colourless or brownish, transparent, elongate-pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as N. penardiana.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Longinebela penardiana. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 156.3 | 151.1 | 12.92 | 2.10 | 8.27 | 138 | 189 | 38 |
Breadth | 71.7 | 69.6 | 8.59 | 1.39 | 11.97 | 55 | 87 | 38 |
Large axis of aperture | 28.7 | 28.5 | 2.52 | 0.41 | 8.80 | 22 | 34 | 38 |
Depth | 53.4 | 51.1 | 6.58 | 1.65 | 12.32 | 46 | 71 | 16 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.46 | 0.46 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 8.10 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 38 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.05 | 0.007 | 11.17 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 38 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Longinebela penardiana. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm, pseudopodia and epipodes. (D) Broad lateral view to show general shape and arrangement of shell-plates. (E) Lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (I) Close up view of aperture to show aperture outline and collar of organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela speciosa Deflandre, 1936.
Description: Shell colourless or brownish, transparent, elongated-pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as N. speciosa.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Longinebela speciosa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 259.9 | 261.5 | 10.80 | 1.94 | 4.15 | 241 | 284 | 31 |
Breadth | 116.1 | 116.6 | 7.95 | 1.43 | 6.85 | 99 | 138 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 48.2 | 48.4 | 3.48 | 0.62 | 7.21 | 39 | 54 | 31 |
Depth | 90.1 | 88.5 | 6.29 | 1.26 | 6.96 | 81 | 102 | 25 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.45 | 0.44 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 7.73 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 7.77 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 31 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Longinebela speciosa. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm, pseudopodia and epipodes. (D) Broad lateral view showing general shape and arrangement of shell-plates. (E) Lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Narrow lateral view of apertural region to show laterally concave aperture. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (I) Close up view of aperture showing aperture outline and collar of organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela tubulosa Penard, 1890.
Description: Shell yellow or brown, transparent, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, forming short neck (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym N. tubulosa (Rila Mts., Stara Planina Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Longinebela tubulosa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 226.6 | 224.2 | 25.37 | 4.49 | 11.20 | 189 | 282 | 32 |
Breadth | 125.3 | 117.3 | 21.17 | 3.74 | 16.90 | 92 | 168 | 32 |
Large axis of aperture | 53.8 | 52.4 | 8.17 | 1.44 | 15.18 | 42 | 68 | 32 |
Depth | 68.3 | 65.6 | 8.98 | 2.40 | 13.14 | 57 | 85 | 14 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.55 | 0.55 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 8.67 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 32 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.43 | 0.43 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 8.04 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 32 |
Light (A-C) and scanning electron (D-I) micrographs of Longinebela tubulosa. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm, pseudopodia and epipodes. (D, E) Broad lateral view to show general shape and arrangement of shell-plates. (F) Apertural view. (G) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (H) Close up view of aperture to show aperture outline and thin apertural collar. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Description: Shell colorless or yellowish, transparent, ovoid or pyriform, with broadly rounded aboral region and well-expressed lateral keel of about 5-6 μm wide (Fig.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, rare.
Geographical distribution: Recently described from Costa Rica, still unknown.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Stara Planina Mts. (
Nebela aliciae. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 134.3 | 136.1 | 16.27 | 5.75 | 12.12 | 109 | 155 | 8 |
Breadth | 111.3 | 112.8 | 12.70 | 4.80 | 11.40 | 88 | 127 | 7 |
Large axis of aperture | 32.4 | 33.0 | 3.22 | 1.22 | 9.93 | 27 | 37 | 7 |
Depth | 52.6 | 52.6 | 3.39 | 2.40 | 6.45 | 50 | 55 | 2 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.82 | 0.82 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 5.60 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 7 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.02 | 0.008 | 7.55 | 0.25 | 0.32 | 7 |
Scanning electron micrographs of Nebela aliciae. (A, B) Broad lateral views of two specimens to illustrate general shape. (C) Narrow lateral view to show lateral keel. (D) Close up view of lateral keel showing its structure. (E, F) Broad lateral view of apertural region to illustrate aperture outline and collar of organic cement. (G, H) Close up view of lateral keel. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia collaris Ehrenberg, 1848; Difflugia cancellata Ehrenberg, 1848; Difflugia reticulata Ehrenberg, 1848; Difflugia carpio Ehrenberg, 1854; Difflugia laxa Ehrenberg, 1871; Difflugia cellulifera Ehrenberg, 1874; Nebela numata Leidy, 1874; Nebela bohemica Taranek, 1882; Nebela sphagnophila (Steinecke) Van Oye, 1933; Nebela tincta var. major Deflandre, 1936; Nebela tincta f. stenostoma Jung, 1936.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, ovoid, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, sometimes forming short neck (Fig.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum, as well as in brown mosses and forest litter.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Nebela collaris. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 118,3 | 118,0 | 4,99 | 0,91 | 4,22 | 110 | 130 | 30 |
Breadth | 76,0 | 75,1 | 5,15 | 0,94 | 6,78 | 67 | 85 | 30 |
Large axis of aperture | 26,4 | 26,7 | 2,56 | 0,47 | 9,68 | 20 | 35 | 30 |
Depth | 42,5 | 42,7 | 3,88 | 0,89 | 9,14 | 36 | 50 | 19 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,64 | 0,64 | 0,04 | 0,007 | 6,48 | 0,5 | 0,7 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,35 | 0,35 | 0,03 | 0,005 | 8,50 | 0.3 | 0,4 | 30 |
Light (A, C, D) and scanning electron (B, E-I) micrographs of Nebela collaris. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) View of live specimens showing granular cytoplasm, pseudopodia and epipodes. (E) Broad lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (H) Close up view of aperture showing aperture outline and collar of organic cement. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia (Nebela) flabellulum Leidy, 1874.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, circular or ellipsoidal, wider than long, with broadly rounded aboral region and well-defined short neck (Fig.
Notes: Nebela flabellulum differs from N. tincta and N. collaris mainly by being wider than long.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, very rare in Bulgaria.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Nebela flabellulum. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 88.5 | 87 | 4.84 | 1.34 | 5.47 | 82 | 99 | 13 |
Breadth | 93.1 | 92.2 | 7.04 | 1.82 | 7.56 | 84 | 105 | 15 |
Large axis of aperture | 19.6 | 19.8 | 1.92 | 0.50 | 9.81 | 17 | 23 | 15 |
Depth | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 1 | |||
Breadth/Length ratio | 1.05 | 1.06 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 4.52 | 0.98 | 1.11 | 13 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.02 | 0.005 | 9.23 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 15 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Nebela flabellulum. (A-E) View of different specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture showing aperture outline and collar of organic cement. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Hyalosphenia tincta Leidy, 1879; Nebela bursella Vejdovsky, 1882; Nebela minor Penard, 1902; Nebela parvula Cash, 1909.
Description: Shell yellowish, transparent, ovoid, with broadly rounded aboral region and well-defined short neck (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonyms N. bursella, N. minor and N. parvula.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, as well as in brown mosses and forest litter.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Nebela tincta. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 80.6 | 80.6 | 5.18 | 0.95 | 6.43 | 71 | 90 | 30 |
Breadth | 58.5 | 58.6 | 3.49 | 0.64 | 5.96 | 52 | 67 | 30 |
Large axis of aperture | 17.5 | 17.4 | 1.71 | 0.31 | 9.77 | 15 | 21 | 30 |
Depth | 34.5 | 34.5 | 2.03 | 0.64 | 5.89 | 30 | 37 | 10 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.73 | 0.72 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 4.13 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.30 | 0.29 | 0.02 | 0,005 | 8.34 | 0.3 | 0,4 | 30 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Nebela tincta. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Broad lateral view to show general shape (E) Narrow lateral view. (F) Apertural view showing lateral pores. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate aperture outline and collar of organic cement. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela lageniformis Penard, 1890.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, flask-shaped, with rounded aboral region and distinct long neck (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as N. lageniformis.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum, rarely in forest litter and soils.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Padaungiella lageniformis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 118.9 | 120.3 | 8.42 | 1.51 | 7.08 | 101 | 136 | 31 |
Breadth | 57.8 | 58.0 | 3.74 | 0.67 | 6.47 | 46 | 66 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 24.4 | 24.4 | 2.08 | 0.37 | 8.52 | 21 | 29 | 31 |
Depth | 39.2 | 38.6 | 3.26 | 0.90 | 8.32 | 34 | 46 | 13 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 7.54 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 7.26 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 31 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Padaungiella lageniformis. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm fulfilled with many food vacuoles and large nucleus. (D, E) Broad lateral view of two individuals showing general shape and arrangement of shell-plates. (F) Narrow lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region showing a thin collar of organic cement. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description: Gauthier-Lièvre et Thomas 1958, Archiv für Protistenkunde, 103, p. 341, Fig. 54; Last revision:
Synonyms: Difflugia nebeloides Gauthier-Lièvre and Thomas, 1958; Nebela nebeloides (Gauthier-Lièvre and Thomas, 1958) Todorov, Golemansky and Meisterfeld, 2010.
Description: Shell yellowish-brawnish, elongated-pyriform, rounded aborally, tapering evenly towards to aperture and forming distinct neck in the anterior one third of the shell (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as N. nebeloides. It should be noted that Mazei and Waren (2014) erroneously synonymized D. nebeloides with D. linearis (Penard, 1890) Gautier-Lièvre et Thomas, 1958, because they have not taken into account the fact that this species has recently been transferred from the genus Difflugia into the genus Nebela (
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Padaungiella nebeloides. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 124.9 | 124.4 | 6.47 | 0.59 | 5.18 | 113 | 148 | 125 |
Breadth | 48.6 | 48.0 | 3.17 | 0.28 | 6.53 | 43 | 59 | 125 |
Diameter of aperture | 20.0 | 19.0 | 2.84 | 0.25 | 14.24 | 17 | 38 | 125 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.02 | 0.002 | 5.40 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 125 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.41 | 0.40 | 0.04 | 0.004 | 10.73 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 125 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Padaungiella nebeloides. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Broad lateral view of two individuals showing general shape. (E) Apertural view. (F) Broad lateral view of apertural region showing a thick collar of organic cement and uneven, undulating rim. (G) Close up view of aperture to show its irregular outline. (H) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates. (I) Detail of shell surface to illustrate small pores in the organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela militaris var. tubulata Brown, 1910; Nebela tubulata Brown, 1911.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, flask-shaped, with rounded or ovoid aboral region and distinct long, thin neck with parallel sides (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as N. tubulata.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Padaungiella tubulata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 82.9 | 83.0 | 4.28 | 0.77 | 5.17 | 74 | 90 | 31 |
Breadth | 35.6 | 36.0 | 2.60 | 0.47 | 7.28 | 31 | 40 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 15.8 | 16.0 | 1.59 | 0.29 | 10.11 | 11 | 19 | 31 |
Depth | 25.8 | 26.0 | 1.70 | 0.40 | 6.58 | 23 | 29 | 18 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.43 | 0.43 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 6.36 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 10.87 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 31 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Padaungiella tubulata. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D, E) Broad lateral view of two individuals showing general shape and arrangement of shell-plates. (F) Lateral view. (G) Latero-apertural view. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region showing a thin collar of organic cement and convex border of the aperture. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela wailesi Deflandre, 1936.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, flask-shaped, with rounded aboral region, elliptic body and distinct neck of about one third of the total length (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded by the synonymous name N. wailesi. Padaungiella wailesi is very similar to P. lageniformis but differs from it by the smaller size, shorter neck, not so pronounced boundary betweem elliptic body and neck, as well as by its ecological preferences.
Ecology: Common in litter, mosses and soils in deciduous forests, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Padaungiella wailesi. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 107,6 | 106,5 | 5,25 | 0,91 | 4,88 | 95 | 117 | 33 |
Breadth | 55,4 | 55,2 | 1,78 | 0,31 | 3,21 | 52 | 58 | 33 |
Large axis of aperture | 21,2 | 21,4 | 1,22 | 0,21 | 5,75 | 19 | 24 | 33 |
Depth | 30,7 | 30,7 | 1,21 | 0,21 | 3,94 | 28 | 33 | 33 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,52 | 0,52 | 0,02 | 0,003 | 3,85 | 0,49 | 0,55 | 33 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,38 | 0,38 | 0,02 | 0,004 | 5,26 | 0,33 | 0,42 | 33 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Padaungiella wailesi. (A) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (B) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm and pseudopodia. (C-E) Broad lateral view of three specimens showing different shape and size of shell-plates. (F) Narrow lateral view. (G) Apertural view. (H) Broad lateral view of apertural region showing a thick collar of organic cement. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela carinata (Archer, 1867) Leidy, 1879.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture (Fig.
Notes: Planocarina carinata differs from P. marginata and G. galeata by the pronounced, broad and strongly flattened lateral margin. The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym N. carinata.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, very rare in Bulgaria.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rila Mts. (
Planocarina carinata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 184.2 | 185.6 | 9.48 | 1.40 | 5.15 | 156 | 204 | 46 |
Breadth | 119.3 | 119.5 | 8.02 | 1.18 | 6.72 | 102 | 133 | 46 |
Large axis of aperture | 40.4 | 40.6 | 2.42 | 0.36 | 5.99 | 36 | 47 | 46 |
Depth | 64.2 | 64.0 | 3.77 | 1.68 | 5.87 | 60 | 70 | 5 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 4.61 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 46 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.34 | 0.33 | 0.03 | 0.004 | 8.82 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 46 |
Light (A-D) and scanning electron (E-I) micrographs of Planocarina carinata. (A) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (B-E) Broad lateral view of four specimens showing general shape and distinct flattened lateral margin. (F) Latero-apertural view to illustrate flattened lateral margin and lateral pore. (G) Apertural view. (H) Close up view of aperture showing its oval outline and thin apertural collar. (I) Detail of shell surface to illustrate shape and arrangement of shell-plates in thick layer of organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Quadrulella symmetrica var. longicollis Taranek, 1882.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, elongate-pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, forming long neck; laterally compressed, with oval transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as Quadrulella symmetrica var. longicollis. Quadrulella longicollis differs from Q. symmetrica by its larger size and by the elongated shell with pronounced long neck (B/L ratio 0.3-0.5 versus 0.5-0.7).
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Quadrulella longicollis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 120.0 | 119.6 | 10.63 | 1.94 | 8.86 | 103 | 156 | 30 |
Breadth | 53.5 | 54.1 | 4.95 | 0.90 | 9.25 | 42 | 62 | 30 |
Aperture width | 23.5 | 23.7 | 2.84 | 0.52 | 12.08 | 18 | 30 | 30 |
Depth | 38.8 | 38.1 | 3.99 | 1.07 | 10.28 | 32 | 46 | 14 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.45 | 0.46 | 0.04 | 0.008 | 9.63 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 12.36 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 30 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Quadrulella longicollis. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Broad lateral view of two individuals to show the general shape. (E) Narrow lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its elliptical shape and bordering thin collar of organic cement (H) Lateral view of aperture. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia proteiformis var. symmetrica Wallich, 1863; Difflugia pyriformis var. symmetrica Wallich, 1864; Difflugia symmetrica Wallich, 1864; Assulina assulata Ehrenberg, 1871; Assulina leptolepis Ehrenberg, 1871; Difflugia assulata Ehrenberg, 1871; Difflugia carolensis Ehrenberg, 1871; Quadrula symmetrica Schulze, 1875; Nebela (Quadrulella) symmetrica Deflandre, 1936.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, ovoid or pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture; laterally compressed, with oval transverse section (Fig.
Notes: Besides the nominal species, the infrasubspecific taxon Quadrulella symmetrica var. irregularis Wailes et Penard, 1911 has also been recorded.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Quadrulella symmetrica. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 84,5 | 84,5 | 4,47 | 0,67 | 5,29 | 72 | 93 | 44 |
Breadth | 47,2 | 47,0 | 3,68 | 0,55 | 7,80 | 41 | 59 | 44 |
Aperture width | 21,7 | 21,6 | 1,65 | 0,25 | 7,60 | 19 | 26 | 44 |
Depth | 32,3 | 32,0 | 4,74 | 1,01 | 14,67 | 22 | 43 | 22 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,56 | 0,56 | 0,04 | 0,007 | 7,14 | 0,47 | 0,66 | 44 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,46 | 0,46 | 0,03 | 0,005 | 6,52 | 0,38 | 0,55 | 44 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Quadrulella symmetrica. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen to show granular cytoplasm. (D) Broad lateral view. (E) Narrow lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its elliptical shape and bordering thin collar of organic cement (H) Lateral view of aperture. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, elongate-pyriform, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, sometimes forming long neck; laterally compressed, with oval to ellipsoidal transverse section (Fig.
Notes: Quadrulella variabilis differs from Q. symmetrica by the smaller size of the shell and shell-plates and from Q. longicollis by about two times smaller shell and not so well defined long neck.
Ecology: In Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Recently described from Switzerland, still unknown.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Quadrulella variabilis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 72,4 | 72,1 | 3,02 | 0,51 | 4,17 | 67 | 80 | 35 |
Breadth | 38,3 | 38,9 | 2,49 | 0,42 | 6,50 | 32 | 42 | 35 |
Aperture width | 17,4 | 17,8 | 1,11 | 0,19 | 6,38 | 14 | 19 | 35 |
Depth | 28,8 | 28,4 | 1,24 | 0,32 | 4,31 | 27 | 31 | 15 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,53 | 0,54 | 0,04 | 0,006 | 7,55 | 0,41 | 0,59 | 35 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,45 | 0,45 | 0,02 | 0,004 | 4,44 | 0,40 | 0,54 | 35 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Quadrulella variabilis. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Broad lateral view of two specimens to show the general shape. (E) Latero-apertural view. (F) Narrow lateral view. (G) Lateral view of aperture. (H) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its elliptical shape and bordering thin collar of organic cement (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Description: Shell transparent, colorless, sometimes brownish or purple, ovoid; with rounded aboral region and almost parallel or slightly convex lateral margins; laterally compressed, elliptical in transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Heleopera petricola. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 97,9 | 98,2 | 7,52 | 1,33 | 7,68 | 78 | 111 | 32 |
Breadth | 63,3 | 63,0 | 6,92 | 1,22 | 10,9 | 51 | 80 | 32 |
Large axis of aperture | 35,6 | 35,3 | 4,46 | 0,79 | 12,5 | 27 | 43 | 32 |
Depth | 43,3 | 42,9 | 3,76 | 0,97 | 8,68 | 37 | 49 | 15 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,6 | 0,6 | 0,07 | 0,01 | 11,67 | 0,48 | 0,78 | 32 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,6 | 0,5 | 0,08 | 0,01 | 13,33 | 0,41 | 0,74 | 32 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Heleopera petricola. (A) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (B) View of encysted specimen. (C-D) Broad lateral view of two specimens showing variability of shell structure. (E) Apertural view to show narrow, closed aperture of encysted specimen. (F) Apertural view showing elliptical aperture with acute commissures. (G) Lateral view of aperture. (H) Close up view of aperture showing the bordering thin collar of organic cement. (I) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles in anterior part of the shell.
Original description:
Description: Shell transparent, reddish or purple, ovoid, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, laterally compressed, elliptical in transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Heleopera rosea. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 101,0 | 102,0 | 6,55 | 1,20 | 6,49 | 90 | 116 | 30 |
Breadth | 69,7 | 71,0 | 6,51 | 1,19 | 9,34 | 56 | 80 | 30 |
Large axis of aperture | 38,9 | 39,9 | 5,59 | 1,02 | 14,39 | 28 | 49 | 30 |
Depth | 45,0 | 44,5 | 3,23 | 0,67 | 7,19 | 40 | 51 | 23 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,69 | 0,68 | 0,06 | 0,01 | 8,60 | 0,6 | 0,9 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,56 | 0,56 | 0,07 | 0,07 | 12,69 | 0.4 | 0,7 | 30 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Heleopera rosea. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of encysted specimen. (D, E) Broad lateral view of two specimens showing variability of shell structure. (F) Apertural view to show a narrow, closed aperture of encysted specimen. (G) Broad lateral view of aperture showing the bordering thin band of organic cement. (H) Portion of anterior part of the shell to show its smooth surface, composed of siliceous shell-plates. (I) Portion of posterior part of the shell to show its rough surface, covered mainly by flattish quartz particles.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia (Nebela) sphagni Leidy, 1874; Nebela sphagni Leidy, 1876; Heleopera picta Leidy, 1879.
Description: Shell transparent, yellow or brown, ovoid, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, laterally compressed, with elliptical transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: In Sphagnum, very rare in Bulgaria.
Geographical distribution: Probably cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Heleopera sphagni. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 107,1 | 106,4 | 3,32 | 0,78 | 3,10 | 103 | 117 | 18 |
Breadth | 76,4 | 74,8 | 4,01 | 0,95 | 5,25 | 73 | 89 | 18 |
Large axis of aperture | 45,2 | 43,7 | 3,68 | 0,87 | 8,14 | 42 | 55 | 18 |
Depth | 44,3 | 43,7 | 2,00 | 0,53 | 4,51 | 42 | 49 | 14 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,7 | 0,7 | 0,02 | 0,005 | 2,86 | 0,68 | 0,76 | 18 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,6 | 0,6 | 0,02 | 0,005 | 3,33 | 0,56 | 0,64 | 18 |
Scanning electron micrographs of Heleopera sphagni. (A-D) Broad lateral view of four specimens to illustrate variability in shape and structure of the shell. (E) Narrow lateral view. (F) Close up view of aperture to show a narrow elliptical aperture. (G) Lateral view showing acute commissures of aperture. (H, I) Details of shell surface showing differences in shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Description: Shell transparent, colorless or yellowish, ovoid, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in soil mosses and litter in deciduous forests, very rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Heleopera sylvatica. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 97.8 | 98.2 | 5.51 | 0.92 | 5.64 | 88 | 108 | 36 |
Breadth | 63.2 | 63.2 | 3.96 | 0.66 | 6.27 | 54 | 74 | 36 |
Large axis of aperture | 38.3 | 37.6 | 4.56 | 0.76 | 11.92 | 30 | 48 | 36 |
Depth | 42.2 | 42.3 | 1.31 | 0.35 | 3.10 | 40 | 44 | 14 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.65 | 0.64 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 6.02 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 36 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.61 | 0.61 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 10.11 | 0.5 | 0,7 | 36 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Heleopera sylvatica. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing granular cytoplasm and numerous pseudopodia. (D) Broad lateral view showing shape and regular arrangement of shell-plates. (E) Apertural view to show a narrow, elliptical aperture. (F) Lateral view showing acute commissures of the aperture. (G) Latero-apertural view. (H) Close up view of elliptical aperture to show the bordering thin collar of organic cement. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia acropodia Hertwig and Lesser, 1874.
Description: Shell yellowish or brownish, circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in soils, mosses and forest litter, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Phryganella acropodia. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 37,7 | 37,5 | 2,15 | 0,37 | 5,70 | 34 | 43 | 33 |
Diameter of aperture | 16,4 | 16,7 | 1,78 | 0,33 | 10,85 | 14 | 20 | 29 |
Depth | 33,4 | 33,0 | 2,58 | 0,47 | 7,72 | 29 | 38 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0,44 | 0,45 | 0,05 | 0,009 | 11,36 | 0,35 | 0,52 | 29 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0,88 | 0,89 | 0,06 | 0,012 | 6,82 | 0,73 | 0,99 | 30 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Phryganella acropodia. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-D) Apertural view of two specimens showing general shape. (E) Lateral view. (F) Dorsal view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its smooth rim and circular outline. (H, I) Details of lateral and dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with large pieces of quartz.
Original description:
Synonyms: Pseudodifflugia hemisphaerica Penard, 1890; Difflugia globulosa Leidy, 1879 (in part).
Description: Shell yellowish or brownish, circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Common in standing freshwater basins, among aquatic vegetation and in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Phryganella hemisphaerica. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 52,2 | 52,0 | 5,11 | 0,93 | 9,79 | 42 | 60 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 31,8 | 31,6 | 3,70 | 0,68 | 11,64 | 24 | 42 | 30 |
Depth | 31,5 | 31,1 | 4,89 | 0,89 | 15,52 | 21 | 41 | 30 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0,61 | 0,61 | 0,06 | 0,01 | 9,84 | 0,50 | 0,79 | 30 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0,61 | 0,60 | 0,09 | 0,02 | 14,75 | 0,41 | 0,85 | 30 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Phryganella hemisphaerica. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D, E) Apertural view of two specimens showing general shape. (F) Dorsal view. (G) Lateral view. (H) Close up view of aperture to illustrate its thin collar and circular outline. (I) Details of lateral side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with large pieces of quartz and diatom frustules.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia globulosa Leidy, 1879 (in part).
Description: Shell yellowish or brownish, opaque, large, circular in apertural and aboral views, hemispherical in lateral view (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in benthos of lakes and reservoirs, less frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Phryganella nidulus. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Diameter | 153,5 | 151,3 | 9,75 | 2,08 | 6,35 | 140 | 174 | 22 |
Diameter of aperture | 88,3 | 88,3 | 7,46 | 1,59 | 8,45 | 72 | 99 | 22 |
Depth | 85,7 | 87,4 | 7,17 | 1,65 | 8,37 | 71 | 95 | 19 |
Aperture/Diameter ratio | 0,58 | 0,57 | 0,031 | 0,007 | 5,34 | 0,49 | 0,63 | 22 |
Depth/Diameter ratio | 0,56 | 0,56 | 0,027 | 0,006 | 4,82 | 0,49 | 0,59 | 19 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Phryganella nidulus. (A) View of several specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (B, C) Apertural view of two specimens showing general shape and large aperture. (D) Dorsal view. (E) Lateral view. (F, G) Close up view of apertural rim to illustrate its denticulate outline. (H, I) Details of dorsal side of the shell to illustrate its rough surface, covered with large pieces of quartz and diatome frustules.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela dentistoma Penard, 1890; Nebela crenulata Penard, 1893; Nebela collaris Leidy, 1879 (in part).
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, ovoid or pyriforme, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, sometimes forming short neck (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded as nominal species, as synonyms N. dentistoma and N. crenulata, as well as infrasubspecific taxa Nebela dentistoma var. oblonga.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum, as well as in soil mosses and litter in deciduous forests.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Argynnia dentistoma. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 108.4 | 111.3 | 15.84 | 2.80 | 14.61 | 82 | 137 | 32 |
Breadth | 78.6 | 78.9 | 9.25 | 1.63 | 11.77 | 60 | 97 | 32 |
Large axis of aperture | 26.4 | 26.4 | 4.59 | 0.81 | 17.38 | 19 | 37 | 32 |
Depth | 49.6 | 50.9 | 8.75 | 1.86 | 17.65 | 32 | 66 | 22 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.73 | 0.72 | 0.06 | 0.011 | 8.26 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 32 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.34 | 0.33 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 12.32 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 32 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Argynnia dentistoma. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Broad lateral view. (E) Apertural view. (F) Narrow lateral view. (G) Broad lateral view of apertural region. (H) Close up view of aperture showing its oval outline. (I) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates, and porous structure of the organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Nebela vitraea Penard, 1899.
Description: Shell colourless, transparent, ovoid or pyriforme, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture (Fig.
Notes: Argynnia vitraea is too close to A. dentistoma and differs difficultly from it mainly by the larger size and by the arrangement of shell-plates, which are usually touching tightly and sometimes have small particles on their borders. The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym N. vitraea.
Ecology: Frequent in wet Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Argynnia vitraea. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 177.3 | 175.4 | 9.84 | 1.54 | 5.55 | 148 | 198 | 41 |
Breadth | 158.5 | 162.8 | 15.01 | 2.34 | 9.47 | 107 | 186 | 41 |
Large axis of aperture | 46.4 | 44.8 | 6.18 | 0.97 | 13.31 | 37 | 60 | 41 |
Depth | 93.7 | 94.2 | 9.79 | 2.45 | 10.44 | 76 | 108 | 16 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.89 | 0.90 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 7.26 | 0.62 | 0.98 | 41 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.30 | 0.29 | 0.05 | 0.007 | 16.20 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 41 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Argynnia vitraea. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C, D) Broad lateral view. (E) Apertural view. (F) Narrow lateral view. (G) Close up view of aperture showing its oval and irregularly dentate outline. (H) Detail of shell surface showing shape and arrangement of shell-plates, and porous structure of the organic cement. (I) Close up view of porous organic cement.
Original description:
Synonyms: Heleopera cyclostoma Penard, 1902.
Description: Shell brownish or purple, opaque, ovoid, with sides tapering evenly and gradually from rounded aboral region towards to aperture, laterally compressed, oval in transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym H. cyclostoma (Rhodopes Mts.) .
Ecology: Frequent in calcareous soils and mosses, rare in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Awerintzewia cyclostoma. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 162.0 | 161.7 | 8.07 | 1.33 | 4.98 | 146 | 178 | 37 |
Breadth | 111.4 | 110.7 | 5.56 | 0.91 | 4.99 | 98 | 121 | 37 |
Large axis of aperture | 41.8 | 41.2 | 5.21 | 0.86 | 12.46 | 31 | 54 | 37 |
Depth | 81.5 | 81.9 | 5.73 | 1.81 | 7.03 | 73 | 90 | 10 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.69 | 0.69 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 5.11 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 35 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 12.83 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 36 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Awerintzewia cyclostoma. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C-E) Broad lateral view of three specimens to show general shape. (F) Narrow lateral view. (G) Apertural view showing oval sross section of the shell and small oval aperture. (H) Close up view of aperture showing its oval outline and bordering rim of organic cement. (I) Portion of shell to show arrangement of flattish particles in the anterior part of the shell.
Original description:
Synonyms: Pontigulasia bryophila Penard, 1902; Pontigulasia bryophila var. elachys Jung, 1942; Pontigulasia varadi Godeanu, 1972; Zivkovicia bryophila (Penard, 1902) Ogden, 1983.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, opaque, elongated-pyriform, with pronounced constriction at place of internal diaphragm, forming distinct neck about one-third of the body length and ovoid main body with circular transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym P. bryophila (Rhodopes Mts., Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum and freshwater habitats.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Lagenodifflugia bryophila. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 115.6 | 116.0 | 6.36 | 0.96 | 5.50 | 101 | 132 | 44 |
Breadth | 56.8 | 57.0 | 2.56 | 0.39 | 4.52 | 53 | 63 | 44 |
Diameter of aperture | 23.4 | 23.7 | 2.65 | 0.40 | 11.33 | 18 | 29 | 44 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.03 | 0.004 | 5.38 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 44 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.41 | 0.41 | 0.05 | 0.007 | 11.14 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 44 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Lagenodifflugia bryophila. (A) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (B) View of live specimen showing long endolobopodia and granular cytoplasm (C, D) Lateral view of two individuals to show a general shape. (E) Apertural view. (F) Close up view of aperture. (G) Close up view of internal opening. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia vas Leidy, 1874; Difflugia pyriformis var. vas Leidy, 1879; Pontigulasia vas (Leidy) Schouteden, 1906; Zivkovicia vas (Leidy, 1874) Ogden, 1983 (in part).
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, opaque, pyriform, with not always conspicuous constriction at place of internal diaphragm, dividing shell of two unequal parts, smaller wedge-shaped neck, about one-third of the body length, and larger rounded main body, with circular transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum and freshwater habitats.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Lagenodifflugia vas. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 176.4 | 175.0 | 9.20 | 1.60 | 5.21 | 157 | 196 | 33 |
Breadth | 111.1 | 113.0 | 7.30 | 1.27 | 6.57 | 96 | 127 | 33 |
Diameter of aperture | 37.1 | 36.0 | 3.64 | 0.63 | 9.80 | 32 | 46 | 33 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.63 | 0.62 | 0.05 | 0.008 | 7.30 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 33 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.03 | 0.006 | 9.57 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 33 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Lagenodifflugia vas. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing long endolobopodia and granular cytoplasm. (D, E) Lateral view of two individuals to show a general shape. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of internal opening. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of particles and rough surface of the shell. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonims: Pontigulasia compressa Rhumbler, 1896; (non Pontigulasia compressa (Carter, 1864).
Description: Shell colorless or yellowish, transparent, pyriform, rounded aborally and tapering evenly towards to the aperture, without forming distinct neck (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym P. compressa (Rhodopes Mts., Rila Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum and standing freshwater bodies, among submerged aquatic vegetation.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Pontigulasia rhumbleri. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 116.3 | 116.9 | 8.86 | 1.52 | 7.62 | 101 | 139 | 34 |
Breadth | 79.5 | 80.7 | 6.42 | 0.94 | 8.08 | 62 | 92 | 47 |
Diameter of aperture | 29.3 | 29.4 | 3.03 | 0.44 | 10.35 | 23 | 37 | 47 |
Depth | 65.7 | 64.7 | 5.40 | 1.44 | 8.22 | 60 | 76 | 14 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.67 | 0.68 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 8.02 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 34 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.37 | 0.36 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 10.42 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 47 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Pontigulasia rhumbleri. (A) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (B) View of live specimen to show a single long endolobopodia. (C) Broad lateral view showing general shape. (D) Apertural view (E) View of aperture showing its irregular outline and surrounding angular particles of quartz. (F) Close up view of internal opening. (G) Portion of shell surface. (H, I) Details of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonims: Difflugia compressa Carter, 1864; Difflugia pyriformis var. vas var. bigibbosa Penard, 1899; Pontigulasia bigibbosa Penard, 1902
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, opaque, pyriform, with characteristic V-shaped notch on the shell, indicating place of internal diaphragm; divided into two unequal parts, smaller wedge-shaped neck, and larger rounded main body; laterally compressed, with oval transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Zivkovicia compressa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 199.6 | 195.0 | 16.01 | 2.24 | 8.02 | 173 | 248 | 51 |
Breadth | 140.5 | 141.0 | 11.99 | 1.68 | 8.53 | 99 | 166 | 51 |
Large axis of aperture | 45.6 | 44.8 | 4.96 | 0.69 | 10.89 | 35 | 59 | 51 |
Depth | 106.8 | 105.3 | 7.25 | 1.07 | 6.79 | 86 | 123 | 46 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.05 | 0.007 | 7.51 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 51 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.04 | 0.005 | 10.99 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 51 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Zivkovicia compressa. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing endolobopodia. (D, E) Broad lateral views. (F) Apertural view (G) Apertural view of tilted specimen to show one of the internal openings. (H) Portion of shell showing its rough surface. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonyms: Pontigulasia spectabilis Penard, 1902; Zivkovicia vas (Leidy, 1874) Ogden, 1983 (in part).
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, opaque, pyriform, with pronounced constriction at place of internal diaphragm, dividing shell of two parts, almost equal in length - tubular or wedge-shaped neck, slightly convex in middle, and spherical main body; uncompressed, with circular transverse section (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as synonym P. spectabilis (Rhodopes Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in freshwater habitats and in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Zivkovicia spectabilis. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 114.5 | 115.5 | 6.45 | 1.02 | 5.63 | 102 | 131 | 40 |
Breadth | 70.3 | 70.5 | 4.67 | 0.74 | 6.64 | 56 | 78 | 40 |
Diameter of aperture | 26.1 | 26.0 | 2.60 | 0.41 | 9.96 | 20 | 32 | 40 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.61 | 0.61 | 0.04 | 0.006 | 5.99 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 40 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.37 | 0.36 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 9.17 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 40 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Zivkovicia spectabilis. (A, B) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (C) View of live specimen showing long endolobopodia. (D, E) Lateral view of two individuals to show a general shape. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of internal openings. (H) Portion of shell to show arrangement of quartz particles and rough surface. (I) Detail of organic cement network.
Original description:
Synonyms: Ditrema flavum Archer, 1877; Amphitrema flavum Archer, 1877.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, transparent, elliptical, with broadly rounded edges; laterally compressed, with oval to elliptical transverse section; on each of the narrow edges is located one small oval aperturte (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded as synonym Amphitrema flavum (Rhodopes Mts., Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Archerella flavum. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 55.9 | 56.3 | 4.55 | 0.82 | 8.13 | 46 | 64 | 31 |
Breadth | 32.2 | 31.9 | 2.7 | 0.50 | 8.47 | 26 | 39 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 9.1 | 9.3 | 1.40 | 0.25 | 15.43 | 6 | 12 | 31 |
Depth | 19.9 | 18.8 | 3.69 | 0.87 | 18.55 | 14 | 28 | 18 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.58 | 0.57 | 0.06 | 0.010 | 9.82 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 31 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Archerella flavum. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D-F) Broad lateral view of three individuals to show the general shape and smooth shell surface. (G) Narrow lateral view. (H) Apertural view to show small aperture. (I) Close up view of aperture showing its oval outline and thin apertural collar.
Original description:
Synonyms: Assulina seminulum Leidy, 1879 (in part); Assulina minor Penard, 1890.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, in young individuals colourless; ovoid, laterally compressed, with elliptical transverse section (Fig.
Notes: Assulina muscorum differs from A. seminulum by the shape and size of the shell and by twice smaller shell-plates.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum and aerophilic mosses, less frequent in soils.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Assulina muscorum. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 45.7 | 46.1 | 4.32 | 0.78 | 9.46 | 37 | 55 | 31 |
Breadth | 34.4 | 33.7 | 2.99 | 0.54 | 8.71 | 29 | 42 | 31 |
Large axis of aperture | 11.2 | 11.1 | 1.69 | 0.30 | 15.08 | 8 | 15 | 31 |
Depth | 18.7 | 18.5 | 1.46 | 0.32 | 7.80 | 16 | 22 | 20 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.76 | 0.75 | 0.07 | 0.012 | 8.74 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 31 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.04 | 0.008 | 13.51 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 31 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Assulina muscorum. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D-F) Broad lateral view of three individuals to show general shape and regular arrangement of shell-plates. (G) Latero-apertural view of aperture to illustrate its lenticular-oval shape. (H) Close up view of apertural region showing arrangement of apertural-plates and thin border of organic cement. (I) Detail of shell surface to show overlapping, oval shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia seminulum Ehrenberg, 1848; Difflugia Assulina seminulum Ehrenberg, 1871; Difflugia semen Ehrenberg, 1871; Euglypha brunnea Leidy, 1874; Euglypha seminulum Leidy, 1878.
Description: Shell yellowish-brownish, in very young individuals colourless; ovoid or sub-spherical, laterally compressed, with elliptical transverse section (Fig.
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum, less frequent in aerophilic mosses and soils.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Rhodopes Mts. (
Assulina seminulum. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 79.4 | 80.2 | 5.45 | 0.99 | 6.83 | 65 | 91 | 30 |
Breadth | 63.1 | 63.1 | 6.08 | 1.11 | 9.63 | 44 | 77 | 30 |
Large axis of aperture | 21.2 | 20.3 | 4.05 | 0.74 | 19.10 | 15 | 35 | 30 |
Depth | 32.4 | 32.8 | 1.90 | 0.41 | 5.86 | 28 | 36 | 21 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.79 | 0.80 | 0.05 | 0.010 | 6.56 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.34 | 0.34 | 0.06 | 0.010 | 16.68 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 30 |
Light (A, C) and scanning electron (B, D-I) micrographs of Assulina seminulum. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D) Broad lateral view showing general shape and regular arrangement of shell-plates. (E) Narrow lateral view. (F) Apertural view. (G) Close up view of aperture to illustrate shape of aperture, arrangement of apertural-plates and thin border of organic cement. (H) Lateral view of apertural region (I) Detail of shell surface to show overlapping, oval shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Euglypha α Vejdovsky, 1882; Euglypha cristata Penard, 1890 (in part).
Description: Shell colorless, transparent, elongate-oviform, slightly compressed and oval in transverse section; apex of the aboral region bears a tuft of long, thin and tapering siliceous spines, three to nine in number (Fig.
Ecology: Frequent in mosses, rarely in forest litter, soils and Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Euglypha bryophila. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 49.1 | 50.0 | 4.94 | 0.9 | 10.07 | 34 | 56 | 30 |
Breadth | 21.3 | 21.7 | 2.24 | 0.41 | 10.52 | 14 | 24 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 8.8 | 8.7 | 1.28 | 0.23 | 14.49 | 6 | 11 | 30 |
Depth | 16.4 | 16.7 | 1.79 | 0.43 | 10.96 | 11 | 18 | 17 |
Length of spines | 11.4 | 10.7 | 2.69 | 0.52 | 23.69 | 7 | 19 | 27 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.44 | 0.43 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 8.72 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.42 | 0.40 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 13.08 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 30 |
Light (A) and scanning electron (B-I) micrographs of Euglypha bryophila. (A) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (B, C) Broad lateral view of two specimens to show symmetrical arrangement of shell plates and disposition of spines in the centre of the aboral region. (D) Narrow lateral view. (E) Apertural view. (F) View of aboral region showing spines and their attachment to the shell. (G) Close up view of aperture. (H) View of apertural plates illustrating pronounced three-lobed thickening at the anterior margin and elongated lobe at the posterior margin (I) Detail of shell surface to show overlapping shell plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Difflugia ciliata Ehrenberg, 1848; Euglypha setigera Perty, 1852 (in part); Difflugia pilosa Ehrenberg, 1871; Difflugia Setigerella ciliata Ehrenberg, 1871; Difflugia Setigerella pilosa Ehrenberg, 1871.
Description: Shell colorless, transparent, oviform, compressed, elliptical in transverse section, with short siliceous spines slightly varying in size and distributed on lateral margin only (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as infrasubspecific taxon E. ciliata f. glabra Wailes, 1915 (Rhodopes Mts., Rila Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in mosses, freshwater habitats and Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Euglypha ciliata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 64.8 | 64.8 | 4.40 | 0.80 | 6.79 | 56 | 74 | 30 |
Breadth | 40.4 | 40.3 | 4.39 | 0.80 | 10.88 | 31 | 49 | 30 |
Diameter of aperture | 14.1 | 14.1 | 2.27 | 0.41 | 16.14 | 10 | 18 | 30 |
Depth | 25.1 | 25.5 | 1.87 | 0.56 | 7.45 | 22 | 28 | 11 |
Length of spines | 8.7 | 9.0 | 1.91 | 0.36 | 21.95 | 5 | 12 | 28 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.62 | 0.61 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 8.34 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 30 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.04 | 0.007 | 11.37 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 30 |
Scanning electron micrographs of Euglypha ciliata. (A-C) Broad lateral view of three specimens to show general shape, arrangement of shell plates and disposition of spines. (D) Narrow lateral view. (E) View of aboral region illustrating spines and their attachment to the shell surface. (F) Lateral view of apertural region. (G) Close up view of aperture. (H) Close up view of a single spine. (I) Detail of shell surface to show overlapping shell-plates.
Original description:
Synonyms: Euglypha ampullacea Hertwig and Lesser, 1874; Euglypha ciliata Leidy, 1879 (in part); Euglypha α Vedovsky, 1882 (in part); ? Euglypha zonata Maggi, 1888.
Description: Shell large, colorless, transparent, broadly oviform, considerably compressed, elliptical in transverse section; with short siliceous spines slightly varying in size and distributed on lateral margin only (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as infrasubspecific taxon E. compressa f. glabra Wailes, 1915 (Rhodopes Mts.).
Ecology: Frequent in mosses, freshwater habitats and Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Euglypha compressa. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 72,6 | 73,5 | 5,15 | 0,96 | 7,09 | 63 | 83 | 29 |
Breadth | 46,5 | 46,5 | 3,83 | 0,72 | 8,24 | 39 | 57 | 28 |
Diameter of aperture | 16,6 | 16,8 | 2,21 | 0,41 | 13,31 | 12 | 20 | 29 |
Depth | 24,6 | 25,5 | 3,40 | 1,13 | 13,82 | 17 | 29 | 9 |
Length of spines | 7,7 | 6,0 | 4,05 | 0,84 | 52,59 | 4 | 18 | 23 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0,64 | 0,64 | 0,05 | 0,01 | 7,81 | 0,55 | 0,74 | 28 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0,36 | 0,36 | 0,04 | 0,01 | 11,11 | 0,29 | 0,43 | 28 |
Light (A, B) and scanning electron (C-I) micrographs of Euglypha compressa. (A-C) View of many specimens to illustrate variability in shape and size of the shell. (D, E) Broad lateral view of two specimens to show general shape, arrangement of shell plates and disposition of spines. (F) Narrow lateral view. (G) Close up view of apertural region. (H) View of aboral region illustrating spines and their attachment to the shell surface. (I) Detail of shell surface to show overlapping shell-plates.
Original description:
Description: Shell colorless, transparent, elongated, with long, slightly-constricted neck, uncompressed and circular in transverse section; apex of the aboral region with a tuft of three to nine long, thin, flattened and tapering siliceous spines (Fig.
Notes: The species has been recorded in both as nominal species and as infrasubspecific taxon E. cristata var. major Wailes, 1911 (Vitosha Mts.).
Ecology: Common in Sphagnum.
Geographical distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution in Sphagnum mosses in Bulgaria: Pirin Mts. (
Euglypha cristata. Morphometric characterisation (measurements in μm)
Characters | Mean | M | SD | SE | CV | Min | Max | n |
Length | 50.1 | 52.2 | 6.84 | 1.17 | 13.65 | 31 | 59 | 34 |
Breadth | 16.3 | 16.7 | 2.00 | 0.34 | 12.22 | 11 | 19 | 34 |
Diameter of aperture | 8.3 | 8.6 | 1.39 | 0.24 | 16.77 | 5 | 11 | 34 |
Length of spines | 9.8 | 9.7 | 3.05 | 0.65 | 31.20 | 5 | 16 | 22 |
Breadth/Length ratio | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.03 | 0.005 | 9.75 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 34 |
Aperture/Breadth ratio | 0.51 | 0.51 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 14.40 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 34 |