Coleps incurvus (Ehrenberg, 1833)
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonym: n.a.
Sampling location: Simmelried, Purren pond, Mainau pond, Bussenried, Bündtlisried, Ulmisried, Mühlhalden pond
Phylogenetic tree: n.a.
Diagnosis:
- length 65–80 µm
- cell barrel-shaped
- one side almost flat, the other side convex
- 6 posterior spines
- anterior end with teeth-shaped projections
- uniform ciliation
- 10–11 longitudinal rows of plates
- “windows” in carapace D-shaped
- two D-shaped “windows” each mirror-symmetric to the main bar
- one caudal cilium
- macronucleus spherical in mid-body
- apical mouth opening with basket of pharyngeal trichites
- contractile vacuole subterminal
Coleps incurvus is common in practically all my sites. The species can be recognized by the slender, almost curved body shape. This is due to the fact that one side of the body is flattened while the opposite side is convex. There is only one caudal cilium. However, the definite identification can only be made by examining the “windows” and their shape and arrangement in the carapace. In Coleps incurvus they are D-shaped and are arranged in in mirror symmetric way opposite each other along the longitudinal main bars, as Kahl has drawn it (s. above).
Fig. 1 a-d: Coleps incurvus. L = 76 µm. A freely swimming specimen. CC = caudal cilium. Obj. 40 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Coleps incurvus. L = 76 µm. The slightly squashed specimen shown in fig. 1 a-e. CV = contractile vacuole, Ma = macronucleus, MO = mouth opening. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 3 a-b: Coleps incurvus. The squashed specimen shown in fig. 1 a-e. Note the D-shaped “windows” each mirror-symmetric to the main bar (arrows). Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 4: Coleps incurvus. L = 73 µm. A second freely swimming specimen. CC = caudal cilium. Obj. 60 X.
Fig. 5 a-b: Coleps incurvus. The squashed specimen shown in fig. 4. The D-shaped “windows” (arrows) of the carapace are each mirror-symmetric to the main bar. CV = contractile vacuole, Ma = macronucleus, MB = main bars, PT = pharyngeal trichites. Obj. 100 X.