Coleps nolandi (Kahl, 1930)
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonym: n. a.
Sampling location: Simmelried
Phylogenetic tree: Coleps nolandi
Diagnosis:
- length 40–65 µm
- cell cylindrical, rarely barrel-shaped
- apical mouth opening with basket of pharyngeal trichites
posteriorly mostly 3 strong spines
carapace composed of 6 rings, each with 12–14 plates
- plates with a variable number of half and whole “windows”
- “windows” kidney-shaped
- macronucleus spherical in mid-body with one adjacent micronucleus
- contractile vacuole sub-terminal
- one caudal cilium
- no symbiotic algae
At low magnifications Coleps nolandi is difficult to distinguish from Coleps hirtus var. minor, because both species have similar size and body shape. Only at high magnification can the shape of the “windows” in the carapace be seen, which is essential for identification. In Coleps nolandi the windows are narrow and kidney shaped. Per half cell I could recognize 2 whole “windows” and 2 half “windows” in my population. However, the number of half and whole “windows” per half cell varies and is therefore not a definite identification characteristic. The decisive factor is the shape of the “windows”.
Fig. 1 a-d: Coleps nolandi. L = 50 µm. Different focal planes of a freely swimming specimen. CC = caudal cilium. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Coleps nolandi. L = 36 µm. Two focal planes of a slightly squashed specimen. CC = caudal cilium, CV = contractile vacuole, Ma = macronucleus, Mi = micronucleus, MO = mouth opening. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 3 a-b: Coleps nolandi. L = 36 µm. Two focal planes of the carapace of a strongly squashed specimen. Note the kidney-shaped “windows” (KW). Obj. 100 X.