Lepadella rhomboides (Gosse, 1886)
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonym: Lepadella rhomboides var. carinata, Lepadella rhomboides var. haueri
Sampling location: Simmelried
Phylogenetic tree: Lepadella rhomboides
Diagnosis:
- lorica ovoid to rhomboid-ovate
- length of lorica 110–120 µm, width 55–88 µm
- dorsally with a moderately high keel, sides of keel convex
- ventral side flat with delicate longitudinal folds
- ventral sinus V-shaped
- foot groove U-shaped
- three foot segments, terminal foot segment longer than basal section of foot
- slender toes pointed
- two eyespots
I have found Lepadella rhomboides so far exclusively in the Simmelried. However, the species is not very common. I documented findings in June 2004 and in July 2008. I recognize Lepadella rhomboides by the slender, oval shape, the V-shaped ventral sinus (s. fig. 1a) and the fine longitudinal folds on the ventral side of the lorica (s. fig. 3).
Fig. 1 a-b: Lepadella rhomboides. L = 120 µm (of the lorica). Ventral view of a slightly squashed specimen. Note the V-shaped sinus (VS) and the elongated terminal foot segment (TF). Obj. 40 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Lepadella rhomboides. L = 115 µm (of the lorica). Two focal planes from dorsal. Note the ridge of the dorsal keel (DK). Vit = vitellarium. Obj. 40 X.
Fig. 3: Lepadella rhomboides. L = 85 µm (of the lorica). Ventral view of a slightly squashed specimen. Note the delicate longitudinal folds of the lorical (LF). Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 4 a-c: Lepadella rhomboides. L = 127 µm (of the lorica). Ventral view of a slightly squashed specimen found in November 2022. Obj. 60 X.
Fig. 5: Lepadella rhomboides. L = 115 µm (of the lorica). Lateral view from left of a freely swimming specimen. Obj. 40 X.