Euplotes charon Ehr. Fig. 52.

Synonyms: Trichoda charon Müller; Plœsconia charon; P. affinis, subrotunda, radiosa, longiremis, Dujardin '41.

The body is oval, small, and somewhat variable in length. The carapace is strongly marked upon the dorsal side by deep longitudinal grooves, 6 to 8 in number; the grooves may be absent, however. The adoral zone extends to the posterior third of the body, the mouth and œsophagus are directed anteriorly. There are 10 ventral cirri, 7 of which are on or near the frontal border and 3 near the right edge. There are 5 posterior cirri and 4 anal cirri, of much smaller size. The cirri may or may not be fimbriated, the latter condition indicating the approaching disintegration of the body and is abnormal. The macronucleus is long and band-formed or horseshoe shape. The contractile vacuole lies on the right side dorsal to the posterior cirri.

Fresh and salt water. Length 45µ; diameter 25µ.

Fig. 52.—
Euplotes charon,
dorsal and
ventral aspects.
[ ENLARGE ]

Euplotes harpa Stein. Fig. 53.

Fig. 53.—
Euplotes harpa.
[ ENLARGE ]

The body is elongate, oval, somewhat widened anteriorly, and has rounded ends. The frontal margin is three-toothed. Ten ventral cirri. Dorsal surface provided with 8 longitudinal markings. The peristome is long and broad, with considerable variation. The adoral zone consists of powerful membranelles arranged in a continuous curve from the mouth to the extreme right frontal margin. Seven of the 10 ventral cirri are situated at the anterior extremity; the remainder are arranged in a triangle on the right edge. The anal cirri, 5 in number, are long and stiff; the marginal cirri smaller and finer. The nucleus and contractile vacuole are similar to those of the preceding species.