I find Lagynus elegans rarely, but regularly. In some years the species appeared with 5 – 10 specimens per milliliter. The species is easy to recognize by the stepped neck, which is caused by ring-shaped furrows. There should be 3–5 furrows. However, at high magnification I had the impression that there are 7 furrows, even if the furrows becoming less pronounced towards the posterior end (s. fig. 7). The longitudinal furrows of the pellicle (s. figs. 1e, 1f and 7) is not mentioned by either Kahl or Foissner, although I was able to detect it in all specimens in my population. The extrusomes scattered in the cytoplasm should be about 15 µm long according to Foissner. In my specimens I could measure lengths between 9 – 11 µm.

According to Foissner the species Lagynus elegans should be synonymous with Lacrymaria sapropelica. After I found a Lacrymaria which has the characteristics of Lacrymaria sapropelica described by Kahl (e.g. head broader than the neck), I am convinced that Lacrymaria sapropelica is a defined species which is not synonymous with Lagynus elegans. Since I was able to detect both species in my sites, I was able to make a direct comparison. Lacrymaria sapropelica not only has a different shaped head and neck, but is also smaller than Lagynus elegans with about 90 µm, does not have the conspicuous longitudinal furrows on the pellicle and has less ciliary rows.