Lepocinclis ovum
(Ehrenberg) Lemmermann, 1901
Most likely ID: n.a.
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Synonyms: Euglena ovum, Phacus ovum
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Sampling location: Ulmisried, Simmelried
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Phylogenetic tree: Lepocinclis ovum
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Diagnosis:Â
- body ellipsoid ovoid or broadly oval
- posterior end with a blunt tail, sometimes elongated or spine-shaped
- length 13–25 µm
- pellicle with a distinct spirally striation, running counterclockwise
- one flagellum, about body length
- one eyespot in anterior third
- two ring-shaped paramylon bodies, arranged laterally
- numerous disc-shaped chloroplasts
I find Lepocinclis ovum only very rarely in my samples. I may have overlooked specimens due to their small size. In addition, Lepocinclis ovum can be confused with Trachelomonas at small magnifications due to its oval shape.
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In my population, the specimens only had a blunt, short spine (s. figs. 1 a and 2 a). However, this can take on very different shapes and can also become much longer or pointed. In addition, my specimens all had a very pronounced and broad striation of the pellicle (s. figs. 1 d and 2 b), which can also be much less pronounced. Therefore, the ring-shaped paramylon grains should also be present for identification (s. fig. 1 c). The body is in apical view rounded (s. fig. 3) and in lateral view mostly oval in shape.
Fig. 1 a-d: Lepocinclis ovum. L = 23 µm. Different focal planes of a slightly squashed specimen. Note the ring-shaped paramylon body (RP) and the distinct striation of the pellicle running counterclockwise to the posterior end. BT = blund tail, Chl = disc-shaped chloroplasts, ES = eyespot, F = flagellum. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Lepocinclis ovum. L = 26 µm. Two focal planes of a second, slightly squashed specimen. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 3: Lepocinclis ovum. L = 26 µm. The specimen as shown in fig. 2 a-b in apical view. Note the apical porus (AP) where the flagellum arises. Obj. 100 X.