Cryptomonas 1

Most likely ID: Cryptomonas nov. spec.

 

Synonym: n.a

 

Sampling location: Purren pond

 

Phylogenetic tree: n.a.

 

Diagnosis:

  • body irregularly oval, dorso-ventrally slightly flattened
  • anterior and posterior end and lateral margins curved ventrally
  • dorsal side saddle-shaped
  • length 18–25 µm, width 10–16 µm
  • two chromatophores, brown or yellow-brown
  • wide open mouth
  • apical rostrum broadly rounded, incon, slightly elongated
  • gullet inconspicuous, reaching to first third
  • gullet lined with only a few ejectisomes
  • two Maupas bodies
  • starch grains polygonal or round
  • one prominent starch grain located apically right
  • one contractile vacuole located apically left
  • two flagella

No drawings from previous authors available.

I found this Cryptomonas species in July 2022 in the Purren pond in large amounts. Although the species is quite small with a length of about 20 µm, it has characteristic features. The lateral margins as well as the anterior and posterior end are clearly bent ventrally (s. figs. 1 a-c, 3 a-b and 4 a-b). This makes the shape somewhat similar to a gummy bear in semi-lateral view (s. fig. 1 b). The dorsal side has a slight indentation in the middle and making it saddle-shaped. The gullet mouth is open at a wide angle. The apical rostrum is broadly rounded and only slightly extended beyond the apical end (s. fig. 1 a). In addition to the bent body margins, this species has a large starch grain in the anterior end on the right side as a conspicuous and constant feature. The contractile vacuole is located on the left side in the anterior end. Two brown or yellow-brown chromatophores are present and two distinct Maupas bodies. The gullet is short and extends only to the first third. It is lined with only a few ejectisomes.

 

In the literature available to me I could not find a comparable species despite the striking characteristics. Therefore I think it is probable that it could be a not yet described species of the genus Cryptomonas (Cryptomonas nov. spec.).

Cryptomonas-1

Fig. 1 a-c: Cryptomonas 1. L = 20 µm. A freely swimming specimen from dorsal (a) starts to turn clockwise and the half-right (b) and lateral view from right (c) become visible. Note the prominent starch grain (PSG) located apically right. AR = apical rostrum. Obj. 100 X

Cryptomonas-1

Fig. 2 a-b: Cryptomonas 1. L = 19 µm. A second specimen from dorsal. Chr 1, Chr 2 = chromatophores, F = flagella, PSG = prominent starch grain, SG = starch grains. Obj. 100 X

Cryptomonas-1

Fig. 3 a-b: Cryptomonas 1. L = 21 µm. A third specimen from ventral. Note that the lateral margins as well as the anterior and posterior end are ventrally curved (arrows). CV = contractile vacuole, MB = Maupas bodies. Obj. 100 X

Cryptomonas-1

Fig. 4 a-b: Cryptomonas 1. L = 24 µm. A fourth specimen from ventral. Obj. 100 X