Platyias quadricornis (Ehrenberg, 1832)
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonym: n. a.
Sampling locations: Ulmisried, Simmelried
Phylogenetic tree: Platyias quadricornis
Diagnosis:
- length 174–360 µm
- anterior end of lorica with two ventrally curved spines
- posterior end of lorica with 2 spines
- lorica with pattern of fields and ornamentation, shape of fields variable
- foot tripartite
- 2 slender toes, pointed distally
- no eyespot
- foot tube without spines
I find Platyias quadricornis in Ulmis Ried as well as in Simmelried regularly, but rarely. Mostly specimens are found in samples of floating or decaying plant masses. Platyias quadricornis is quickly recognized even at low magnifications because the flanks of the lorica are concavely rounded and there are two prominent spines on both the anterior and posterior margins. The lorica is also conspicuously and strongly granulated.
More images and information of Platyias quadricornis: Michael Plewka-Freshwater life-Platyias quadricornis
Fig. 1: Platyias quadricornis. L = 310 µm (with foot). Ventral view of a slightly squashed specimen with a fully extended foot in brightfield illumination. Obj. 20 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Platyias quadricornis. L = 322 µm (with foot). Ventral view of a slightly squashed specimen with a fully extended foot in DIC. Note that the foot tube of the lorica is not surrounded by spines. Obj. 40 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Platyias quadricornis. L = 284 µm (with foot). Ventral view of a second specimen. Obj. 40 X.
Fig. 4 a-c: Platyias quadricornis. L = 270 µm (with foot). Three focal planes of the dorsal view of a slightly squashed specimen with a fully extended foot. FT = foot, TO = toes. Obj. 40 X.
Fig. 5: Platyias quadricornis. The dorsal lorica with regularly arranged fields and ornamentation in detail. Note the dosal antenna (DA) and the lateral antennae (LA). Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 6: Platyias quadricornis. The trophi in a strongly squashed specimen. Obj. 100 X.