PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “RHIZOPODA”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ecology of testate amoebae (Protozoa: Rhizopoda) on peatlands in western Russia with special attention to niche separation in closely related taxa.

Testate amoebae (Protozoa: Rhizopoda) are frequently used as indicators of past environmental changes, and the interpretation of fossil assemblages depends upon our knowledge of ecological affinities of taxa in modern environments. A variety of taxonomic approaches have been used in fossil studies, mostly involving grouping of closely related taxa. This paper presents data from peatlands in western Russia relating surface wetness parameters to species occurrence. Relationships between species abundance, water table depth and soil moisture are modelled using weighted averaging, and species niches are calculated as optima and tolerance for these parameters. Niche separation of closely related taxa is examined in detail and it is shown that there is often a gradient of hydrological preference within each group of taxa. Wet to dry gradients include those found in the Trigonopyxis arcula group (T. arcula var. major > T. arcula > T. minuta), the Assulina-Valkanovia group (A. seminulum > A. muscorum > V. elegans), and the Trinema lineare group (T. lineare var. truncatum/ T. lineare > T. lineare var. terricola), all of which are associated with a large to small size gradient. In addition, spined forms within the Euglypha and Placocista genera are shown to consistently occur in wetter habitats than glabrous forms or those with shorter spines. It is concluded that palaeoecological studies should attempt the lowest taxonomic divisions possible within these groups, to maximise the ecological indicator value of the assemblages recorded.

Amoeba↗

[Blastocystis galli sp. n. (Protista: Rhizopoda) from the intestines of domestic hens].

A new species, Blastocystis galli, parasitic in blind processes of large intestine was found in domestic hens. Sizes of blastocysts are 7.5-35.0 x 6.25-30.0 (18.67 x 17.05) microns. The parasite form varies from round to ellipsoid. There were found stages with 1 to 4 nuclei and stages containing 8 to 32 small daughter individuals. Outside blastocysts are covered with structured glycocalyx. Under glycocalyx there is a plasmatic membrane. Cytoplasm contains a great number of ribosomes and mitochondria with cristae resembling in their shape oval or round small sacs. Nucleus contains nucleolus. Chromatin mass is concentrated on one of the poles of the nucleus as individual bodies. Semilunar in form chromatin mass was not found. Golgi apparatus is represented by a number of plates grouped in a pile. Most part of the cell is occupied by reproductive organelles divided by cytoplasmatic membranes into compartments. On the basis of its ultrafine organization. B. galli is assigned to the kingdom Protista, type Rhizopoda, class Lobosea, subclass Gymnamoebia, order Blastocystida.

Animals↗

Application of isoenzymatic typing to the identification of nonaxenic strains of Naegleria (Protozoa, Rhizopoda).

Isoenzymatic typing of the different species of Naegleria was studied by comparing isoelectric focusing on axenic and nonaxenic strains using the most discriminating enzymes: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malic enzyme (ME), beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (beta-HBDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and acid phosphatase (AP). The results show that bacteria in nonaxenic cultures have no influence on the interpretation of zymograms. The specificity of the enzymatic patterns of each strain is maintained in all of these enzymatic systems except LDH. With SOD, the existence of a supplementary isoenzyme among all of the nonaxenic strains is probably linked to an enzymatic induction phenomenon.

Animals↗

Form variation in Puytoracia bergeri Bonnet and a description of P. bonneti n. sp. (Rhizopoda, Filosea).

Since its description 35 years ago from Quebec, Canada, the poorly known monospecific testate rhizopod genus Puytoracia (type species, Puytoracia bergeri) has been reported only from the Himalayan region of Nepal. This species was recently found at 13 locations in Ontario, Canada, and the range of form variation of the species from widely separated sites is described. At two of these sites, boreal forest bogs in north-western Ontario, a second, previously unidentified, Puytoracia species was also found and described (as Puytoracia bonneti n. sp.). Differences between the two species were clearly demonstrated statistically using morphometric variables. The large elliptical scales covering the test of P. bonneti (easily seen with relatively low-power microscopy) provide the most important criterion for separating this species from some Trinema species having superficially similar test morphology (e.g. Trinema penardi Thomas & Chardez, or Trinema galeata (Penard) Jung.). On the basis of test structure, it is suggested that P. bonneti occupies a taxonomic position relative to P. bergeri that is similar to that occupied by T. penardi relative to Trinema enchelys (Ehr.) Leidy. Results of this study further confirm the logical position of Puytoracia within the family Trinematidae, close to, but distinct from, the genera Corythion and Trinema.

Animals↗

Accurate enumeration and identification of Testacea (Protozoa, Rhizopoda) in forest soil using scanning electron microscopy.

A new procedure is used for separating Testacea from soil, based on dispersion, sequential centrifugation settling, and subsequent filtration of the soil suspension. Combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this procedure allows accurate enumeration of Testacea, with a recovery rate of 90% and more precise counting (relative standard deviation, RSD: 5%) of Testacea than in previous works.

Amoeba↗

Vertical distribution and abundance of gymnamoebae (Rhizopoda) in bottom sediments of the brackish water Nivå Bay (Baltic Sea, The Sound).

The sandy sediments of Nivå Bay (Baltic Sea, The Sound, Denmark) are often covered with the mats of sulphur bacteria and are temporarily anoxic. The vertical distribution and abundance of naked amoebae species in three sediment cores from this bay were studied. Amoebae were most abundant and diverse in the upper 1 cm of sediment, and their number and diversity decreased with increasing depth into the sediment. Amoebae were recovered from both upper oxygenated and deep anoxic layers of sediments. The species composition and abundance of amoebae was very heterogeneous, even at spatial scales of several centimeters, suggesting the existence of microhabitats selectively occupied by particular species. All species found were recorded from aerobic cultures and some of these amoebae occur in both the aerobic and anaerobic layers of the sediment. Minimal possible number of amoebae in the sediments, estimated for the first time as areal abundance integrated for depth was: core 1 -597 cm(-2); core 2 -1,110 cm(-2); core 3 -1,430 cm(-2). These abundances are probably best regarded as "potential" abundances of amoebae hidden in the sediments, as the question of the ratio between active and resting amoebae remains open.

Amoebida↗

Spatial distribution of gymnamoebae (Rhizopoda, Lobosea) in brackish-water sediments at the scale of centimeters and millimeters.

In order to study micro-spatial distribution of amoebae, an intact slice of sandy sediment from the brackish-water Nivå Bay (Baltic Sea, The Sound), 40 x 24 mm in size and 2 mm in thickness was gently sectioned into cubes, 2 x 2 x 2 mm in size. Each cube was inoculated into enrichment media to reveal the biodiversity of amoebae. Seventeen species of amoebae were recovered. The 2-D map of amoebae species distribution in the slice, consisting of 240 2 x 2 mm cells was drawn and analyzed. Results show heterogeneous distribution of amoebae at the scale of centimeters and millimeters and confirm the idea of the presence of microhabitats, selectively occupied by amoebae species. Three types of distribution patterns were found: random, aggregated and equally spaced. Microelectrode studies indicated that amoebae distribution was not related to the dissolved oxygen content in the sediment. The studied slice of sediment contained several pronounced "hotspots" of amoebae biodiversity, where up to four species co-occur in the same area. Seven species of amoebae numbered 1-4 specimens in the studied slice (i.e. there was 0.5-2 cell ml(-1)). Analysis of the amoebae distribution map shows the high probability of undersampling rare amoebae species during faunistic studies.

Animals↗

Vertical distribution of gymnamoebae (rhizopoda, lobosea) in the top layer of brackish-water sediments.

The paper reports on the distribution of amoebae in a vertical slice of sandy sediment from the brackish-water Nivå Bay (Baltic Sea, The Sound). The 24 x 20 mm slice 2 mm in thickness was gently cut from the top of sediment to a depth of 20 mm using coverslips, and further sectioned into 2 x 2 x 2 mm cubes. Each cube was inoculated into enrichment media to reveal the biodiversity of amoebae. The map of amoebae species distribution in the slice was drawn and analyzed. The results show patchy distributions of many amoebae species. Amoebae tend to form a band of maximum diversity within the depth interval 2-16 mm. Two mini-cores of sediment located close to the butt-ends of the slice were collected using cut 1 ml syringes. They were sliced and inoculated to reveal the biodiversity of amoebae at different depths. The distribution patterns of amoebae in the mini-cores were similar to the ones obtained in the slice, and show evident patchiness of some species. It seems that abundant species mostly form irregular patches 1-2 cm across, whereas many species are rare and appear in few number of specimens or in patches smaller than 2 mm.

Animals↗

srRNA evolution and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Naegleria (Protista: Rhizopoda).

A rapid RNA sequencing technique was used to partially sequence the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (srRNA) of four species of the amoeboid genus Naegleria. The extent of nucleotide sequence divergence between the two most divergent species was roughly similar to that found between mammals and frogs. However, the pattern of variation among the Naegleria species was quite different from that found for those species of tetrapods characterized to date. A phylogenetic analysis of the consensus Naegleria sequence showed that Naegleria was not monophyletic with either Acanthamoeba castellanii or Dictyostelium discoideum, two other amoebas for which sequences were available. It was shown that the semiconserved regions of the srRNA molecule evolve in a clocklike fashion and that the clock is time dependent rather than generation dependent.

Animals↗

[The cultivation of Blastocystis (Rhizopoda: Lobosea) from hens and ducks].

The method of cultivation of Blastocystis galli from hens and Blastocystis sp. from ducks was worked out. Blastocystis grow on nutrient medium at pH 7.0 to 7.2 in a wide range of temperatures from 30 to 45 C. Optimum temperatures for cultivation are 41 to 42 C. The growth of cultures was obtained on biphase egg medium. Solid phase of the medium presents coagulated contents of the hen's egg. Liquid phase can be made of Henk's solution with the addition of 30% of fresh or lyophilizinic hen serum or horse serum. Henk's solution can be replaced by medium 199 (we observed the growth of culture on medium 199 without addition of blood serum). In all variants of medium we added antibiotics on a per--1 ml of medium basis: ampicillini--4 thousand units, streptomycini--1 thousand units. After 2 to 3 passages antibiotics can be excluded from the medium. Optimum medium is that with the addition of 30% of fresh hen serum. Passages go well at the transfer of 15-20% culture after 72 to 96 hours. The size of cultural stages varied within the limits of 2.5-56.2 x 2.5-56.2 microns and 2.5-110 x 2.5-110 microns for Blastocystis sp. and B. galli, respectively, the number of nuclei in one individual varied from 1 to 64, seldom over 100.

Animals↗

[A new species of Blastocystis anseri (Protista: Rhizopoda) from domestic geese].

A new species, Blastocystis anseri, was found in domestic goose. Sizes of blastocyst in culture are 7.5-46.2 x 7.5-46.2 m. Method of cultivation of Blastocystis anseri on biphase egg medium was worked out. Liquid phase can be made of Hank's solution or 199 medium with an addition of 30-40% hen or bovine serum. Optimum temperature for cultivation is 39 +/- 0.5 degree, ph 7.0-7.2.

Animals↗

[A finding of Blastocystis galli (Rhizopoda, Lobosea) in domestic turkeys].

Blastocysts tentatively assigned to the species Blastocystis galli were found in the turkey Meleagris gallopavo from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Length and width of blastocysts from turkeys vary in a wider range (2.5--55.1 x 2.5--51.3 mkm) than length and width of blastocysts from hens. The shape of blastocysts varies from round and oval to ellipsoid and amoeboid.

Animals↗

[The specificity of blastocysts (Rhizopoda: Lobosea)].

The analysis of specificity of blastocysts was based on the data on host association and on experimental data. In experiments we failed to infect the geese (Anser anser) with Blastocystis galli taken from the fowl (Gallus gallus) and also failed to infect the fowl with B. suis taken from the pigs (Sus scrofa domestica). Experimental data and field observations of blastocysts distribution among different groups of hosts point out that the same species of blastocysts can not parasitize in hosts belonging to different classes and orders. The examination of 89 fish specimens belonging to 14 species of Osteichthyes taken from the Neman delta did not discover any blastocysts.

Animals↗

Molecular evolutionary analyses of nuclear-encoded small subunit ribosomal RNA identify an independent rhizopod lineage containing the Euglyphina and the Chlorarachniophyta.

The Rhizopoda comprise a diverse assemblage of protists which depend on lobose or filose pseudopodia for locomotion. The biochemical and morphological diversity of rhizopods has led to an uncertain taxonomy. Ribosomal RNA sequence comparisons offer a measure of evolutionary relatedness that is independent of morphology and has been used to demonstrate a polyphyletic origin of the Lobosea. We sequenced complete small subunit ribosomal RNA coding regions from the filose amoebae, Euglypha rotunda and Paulinella chromatophora (Euglyphina) to position these taxa in the eukaryote phylogeny. The neighbor-joining analyses show that E. rotunda and P. chromatophora share a monophyletic origin and are not closely related to any lobose amoebae in our analyses. Instead, the Euglyphina form a robust sister group to the Chlorarachniophyta. These results provide further evidence for the polyphyly of the Rhizopoda and support the creation of a new amoeboid lineage which includes the Euglyphina and the chlorarachniophyte algae; taxa with tubular mitochondrial cristae and filose or reticulate pseudopodia.

Animals↗