A new species of the genus Metacystis (Ciliophora, Prostomatida, Metacystidae) from a wastewater treatment plant

J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2010 Jul-Aug;57(4):362-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2010.00484.x. Epub 2010 Jun 18.

Abstract

Unusual prostomatid specimens were found in the biological reactor of a wastewater treatment plant in a health resort in Valencia, Spain. These ciliates were attached to flocs unlike other free-swimming prostomatid ciliates described to date in the mixed liquor of activated sludge plants. The morphological study of this species led to a typically different combination of characteristics: elongated cell shape, 20-30 somatic kineties, 2 perioral kineties, and 1 circumoral kinety, 1 large vacuole protruding at the terminal end, a lorica tapered toward the aperture with a smooth neck, and 11-16 annular ridges. These characteristics place this representative as a new species of the genus Metacystis-Metacystis galiani n. sp. This species became the dominant population within the biological reactor when high values of conductivity (4,244 mS/cm) and temperature (26.8 degrees C) were recorded.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ciliophora / classification
  • Ciliophora / genetics
  • Ciliophora / growth & development
  • Ciliophora / isolation & purification*
  • Sewage / analysis
  • Sewage / parasitology*
  • Spain
  • Water Purification

Substances

  • Sewage