Systematic analyses of the genus Architricha and Pleurotricha curdsi (Ciliophora, Oxytrichidae), with redescriptions of their morphology

Two oxytrichids Architricha indica Gupta et al., 2006 and Pleurotricha curdsi (Shi et al. 2002) Gupta et al., 2003 collected in East China, were studied using live observation and the silver staining method. The description and morphometric characterization of the new populations were supplied. The Shanghai population of A. indica differs from the Indian population in the number of cirri in the third right marginal row (average of 16.8 vs. 21.1). The Shanghai population of P. curdsi corresponds well with the Indian population, but it differs from the other Chinese population in the number of right marginal rows (two vs. three). The early process of reorganization of A. indica was studied, and a difference on the formation of anlage V was found compared to the original report. The small subunit rRNA genes of both species were sequenced for the first time. The phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data revealed that Architricha is sister to the assemblage of Pseudouroleptus caudatus and two Strongylidium, while P. curdsi clusters with its congener P. lanceolata and is located in Stylonychinae.