Taxononmic and ecological studies of ciliates from Australian saline soils: colpodids and hymenostomate ciliates

Abstract

A total of 27 ciliate species was found in samples of alkaline soils from arid regions in southern Australia. Seven of them are described and illustrated, three for the first time: Spathidium metabolicum, sp. nov., Sagittaria australis, sp. nov, and Cinetochilum rnarinum, sp. nov. The morphogenesis of Homalogastra setosa Kahl and Pseudocohnilembus persalinus Thompson & Evans is described. Critical taxonomic featues are clarified.