Lophocharis salpina – Real Micro Life

Lophocharis salpina (Ehrenberg 1834)

Most likely ID: n.a.

Synonym: n.a.

Sampling location: Mühlweiher Litzelstetten, Simmelried

Phylogenetic tree: Lophocharis salpina

Diagnosis:

lorica rigid, one piece
total length 175–225 µm
lorica with dorsal keel and transverse folds
lorica rhomboid in cross-section
ventral sinus angular
foot groove U-shaped
surface of lorica granulated
anterior margin serrated
eyespots inconspicuous, hard to see
pair of slender, pointed toes (about 38 µm)

So far, I have only found Lophocharis salpina in the Simmelried and in the Mühlweiher Litzelstetten. In both locations, the specimens were found among floating aquatic plants. I find this rotifer rarely, but regularly.

Lophocharis salpina is a medium-sized rotifer with a characteristically shaped lorica. It consists of one piece and has a distinct dorsal keel. The lorical has weak transverse furrows and is clearly granulated. The apical margin of the lorica is serrated. The ventral sinus is slightly angular, while the dorsal sinus is U-shaped. The foot opening is also U-shaped.

The specimens swim slowly and rotate around their own axis while doing so. Due to the characteristic lorica, the species cannot be confused with any other.

More images and information on Lophocharis salpina: Michael Plewka-Freshwater life-Lophocharis salpina

Fig. 1 a-b: Lophocharis salpina. L = 196 µm. A freely swimming specimen from right. Obj. 40 X.

Fig. 2 a-b: Lophocharis salpina. L = 196 µm. The same specimen as shown in fig. 1 a-b from dorsal (a) and from ventral (b). Note the dorsal keel (DK). Obj. 40 X.

Fig. 3: Lophocharis salpina. L = 196 µm. The slightly squashed specimen as shown in fig. 1 a-b vom ventral. The ventral sinus (VS) is slightly angular, while the foot groove (FG) is U-shaped. Obj. 40 X.