Morphological and molecular characterization of Euplotes encysticus (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Euplotida)

The ciliate Euplotes encysticus Yonezawa, 1985 was insufficiently described so far regarding its living morphology, infraciliature and silverline system. Recently, a China population was isolated from brackish water (salinity 6‰) near a coastal sandy beach (114°32′E 22°43′N) of the Daya Bay, South China Sea and subsequent investigations were performed on it in detail. Based on data available, the morphology of this species was summarized and a new diagnosis is given which is characterized by: medium-sized body with consistently 9 frontoventral, 2 caudal and 2 left marginal cirri; 30-40 adoral membranelles; 7 dorsal kineties; dorsal silverline system consisting of complex type with irregular network; capable of encystment. Both the morphology and SSr RNA gene sequence show, with high support, a close relationship of E. encysticus and Euplotes muscorum.