New contributions to the marine benthic ciliates from the Antarctic area, including description of seven new species (Protozoa, Ciliophora)

Twenty-six marine benthic ciliates including seven new species were isolated from King George Island, Antarctic. The morphology and taxonomy of 19 of them are described in the present paper: Aegyriana paroliva, Amphileptus sp., Amphisiella antarctica nov. spec., Condylostoma cf. magnum, Dysteria parovalis nov. spec., Folliculina ? sp., Hartmannula cf. angustipilosa, Hemigastrostyla szaboi nov. spec., Heterostentor coeruleus, Holosticha sp., Intranstylum antarcticum nov. spec., Metaurostylopsis rubra, Orthodonella shenae, Philasterides cf. armatalis, Pithites pelagicus nov. spec., Pleuronema coronatum, Strombidium apolatum nov. spec., Telotrochidium sp., and Thigmokeronopsis magna nov. spec. Based on the new observations, an improved diagnosis for the genus Aegyriana is suggested: dorsoventrally flattened Dysteriidae with tail-shaped podite, which is positioned subcaudally in a glabrous region within somatic kinetics; oral structure in two parts: ca three close-set fragments on right and one preoral kinety on left-, left postoral kineties shortened posteriorly and continuous with right ones, leaving no median gap or suture; cytopharyngeal rods dominant. According to the new understanding and information obtained, a refined diagnosis of the genus Hemigastrostyla is also suggested: hypotrich with Oxytricha-like cirral pattern; eight to ten frontal (including one buccal) and five to seven ventral cirri; five transverse and three caudal cirri; no right-lateral anlagen of dorsal kineties occurring and the old adoral zone will be partly replaced by newly formed structure during morphogenesis; dorsal cilia located in small pits, fibre system highly developed; marine habitat.