Pompholyxophrys ovuligera

(Penard, 1904) Roijackers & Siemensma, 1988

Most likely ID: n.a.

 

Synonym: n.a.

 

Sampling location: Simmelried

 

Phylogenetic tree: Pompholyxophrys ovuligera

 

Diagnosis: 

  • cell spherical, covered with ovoid scales
  • diameter 17–37 µm (inclusive layer auf scales)
  • scales about 2×3 µm, hollow, transparent
  • cytoplasm pale orange or reddish with colored granules
  • nucleus located eccentrically, with central nucleoulus
  • no visible contractile vacuole
  • pseudopodia fine and short
Pompholyxophrys-ovuligera
Pompholyxophrys ovuligera

I have only ever found Pompholyxophys ovuligera in the Simmelried, where the species is very rare. The similar species Pompholyxophrys punicea, which has spherical scales, is much more common.


The mostly orange coloration of Pompholyxophrys ovuligera is much less pronounced than in Pompholyxophrys punicea, which was already described by Penard (1904). Like Penard, I could not recognize a contractile vacuole. However, I noticed several small vacuoles at the margin of the cell body (s. fig. 2 a), which showed no pulsation. It is also possible that the pulsation was very slow. The nucleus is eccentric with a clear, central nucleolus. The pseudopodia have about body length, without granules.

 

More information and images on Pompholyxophrys ovuligera: Ferry Siemensma-Microworld-Pompholyxophrys ovuligera

Pompholyxophrys-ovuligera

Fig. 1 a-b: Pompholyxophrys ovuligera. D = 33 µm (with scales). Two focal planes of a pale orange colored specimen. PP = pseudopodia. Obj. 100 X.

Pompholyxophrys-ovuligera

Fig. 2 a-b: Pompholyxophrys ovuligera. The squashed specimen as shown in fig. 1 a-b. CV? = probably the contractile vacuoles, Nu = nucleus, SC = ovoid scales. Obj. 100 X.