Dicranophorus luetkeni Bergendal, 1892

Most likely ID: n.a.

 

Synonym: n. a.

 

Sampling location: Simmelried

 

Phylogenetic tree: Dicranophorus luetkeni

 

Diagnosis: 

  • body slender, elongate and with straight ventral side
  • length 180–317 µm
  • corona ventral, a little shorter than head
  • large rostrum
  • with retrocerebral organ
  • no eyespot
  • toes long, straight with slender, blunt claws
  • the claws can be bent
Dicranophorus-luetkeni
Dicranophorus luetkeni

I have found Dicranophorus luetkeni only rarely and exclusively in the Simmelried. The few finds are from October 2006, March 2008 and May 2010, after which I have not found any more specimens.

 

I recognize the species mainly by the long toes, whose claws can be bent (s. fig. 3). This can be observed especially in slightly squashed specimens. In addition, Dicranophorus luetkeni has an apical rostrum above the corona (s. fig. 2d). The corona is limited to the ventral side. The stomach is usually yellow or orange in color.

 

More images and information on Dicranophorus luetkeni: Michael Plewka-Freshwater life-Dicranophorus luetkeni

Dicranophorus-luetkeni

Fig. 1 a-d: Dicranophorus luetkeni. L = 250 µm. Lateral view from right of a freely swimming specimen. Obj. 40 X.

Dicranophorus-luetkeni

Fig. 2 a-d: Dicranophorus luetkeni. L = 295 µm. Lateral view from right of a slightly squashed specimen. Note the apical rostrum (RO). Obj. 40 X.

Dicranophorus-luetkeni

Fig. 3: Dicranophorus luetkeni. L = 295 µm. The same specimen as shown in fig. 2 a-d with focal plane on the bent claws (arrow) of the toes. Obj. 60 X.

Dicranophorus-luetkeni

Fig. 4: Dicranophorus luetkeni. L = 295 µm. Two focal planes of the trophi in a strongly squashed specimen. Obj. 100 X.

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