Morphological and Morphometric Characterization of Eodinium posterovesiculatum (Ciliophora, Ophryoscolecidae) in Brazilian Cattle

Abstract The morphological variability of Eodinium posterovesiculatum (Ciliophora, Trichostomatia) has been interpreted in different ways: four distinct species or four morphotypes of the same species. The present study aims to perform morphological and morphometric comparative analysis of the four morphotypes found in cattle from the southeastern region of Brazil. Ruminal content samples were obtained from four Holstein x Gir cattle and fixed at 18.5% formalin for morphological analysis. Morphometry was performed based on individuals stained with Lugol's solution [1]. The infraciliary bands were stained using silver carbonate impregnation technique [2]. Morphological and morphometric characterizations, supported by literature, suggest that the four morphotypes of E. posterovesiculatum are actually a single polymorphic species due to small morphometric differences and mostly identical morphological characters, with the format of the caudal processes being the only morphological characteristic that sets them apart.

Influence of substrate humidity on desiccation resistance capacity in Subulina octona (Mollusca, Subulinidae)

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of substrate humidity on desiccation resistance of Subulina octona, continuously exposed, for 48 h, to the temperature of 35 °C. Forty individuals conditioned in 2 plastic boxes, one box containing black earth humidified with 40 ml water and the other one containing dry black earth were used. The retraction of cephalopodal mass inside the shell and the number of dead individuals was evaluated. Snails from dry and humid substrate boxes showed cephalopodal mass retraction of 9.9 cm±2.88 and 2.78 cm±3.17, respectively, after 12 h of exposure; 8.55 cm±1.3 and 6.33 cm±2.91, after 24 h; 11.07 cm±4.19 and 7.27 cm±2.7, after 36 h, 9.12 cm±2.15 and 6.47 cm±2.11, after 48 h. Every individual of dry substrate box died whereas every individual of humid substrate box survived. These results showed that substrate humidity was an influent factor regarding desiccation resistance in S. octona.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência da umidade do substrato sobre a resistência à dessecação em indivíduos da espécie S. octona, submetidos a uma exposição contínua, por 48 horas, à temperatura de 35 °C. Foram utilizados 40 indivíduos, acondicionados em dois potes plásticos, um pote contendo terra vegetal® umedecida com 40ml de água e outro contendo terra vegetal seca, mantidos em câmara climatizada a 35±1 °C. Foram verificados, a retração da massa cefalopodal no interior da concha e o número de indivíduos mortos. Os moluscos do pote com substrato seco e do pote com substrato úmido apresentaram retração da massa cefalopodal de 9,9cm±2,88 e 2,78cm±3,17 respectivamente, após 12 horas de exposição; 8,55cm±1,3 e 6,33cm±2,91, após 24 horas; 11,7cm±4,19 e 7,27cm±2,7, após 36 horas e 9,12cm±2,15 e 6,47cm±2,11, após 48 horas. Todos os indivíduos do pote com substrato seco morreram, enquanto todos os indivíduos do pote com substrato úmido sobreviveram. Esses resultados demonstram que a umidade do substrato é um fator que influencia a resistência à dessecação em S. octona.

First record of epibionts peritrichids and suctorians (Protozoa, Ciliophora) on Pomacea lineata (Spix, 1827)

This study made a survey on the ciliate protozoans from Peritrichid and Suctorian taxa, epibionts of Pomacea lineata (Spix, 1827) (Ampullariidae). Fifty mollusks were collected in places of irrigation ditches and shell was scraped with a scalpel and the extracted material was analyzed in vivo by light microscopy. All examined mollusks presented epibiont ciliates on their shells. For the first time epibiont ciliates in P. lineata was record. Seven genera of ciliates: five peritrichids and two suctorians, were identified and classified within the subclass Peritrichia: Carchesium Ehrenberg, 1838 (Vorticellidae), Epistylis Ehrenberg, 1830 (Epistylidae), Opercularia Stein, 1854 (Operculariidae), Vaginicola Lamarck, 1816 (Vaginicolidae) and Vorticella Linnaeus, 1767 (Vorticellidae); and Suctoria: Acineta Ehrenberg,1834 (Acinetidae) and Tokophrya Bütschli,1889 (Tokophrydae). The results showed that P. lineata constitute the microenvironment of a ciliate protozoan community that presents complex trophic interactions.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar um levantamento dos protozoários ciliados dos táxons Peritrichia e Suctoria, epibiontes de Pomacea lineata (Spix, 1827) (Ampullariidae). Cinqüenta moluscos foram coletados em ambientes de vala de irrigação, em Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. As conchas dos moluscos foram raspadas com bisturi e o material extraído analisado in vivo sob o microscópio de luz. Todos os moluscos examinados apresentaram ciliados epibiontes em suas conchas. Registra-se pela primeira vez ciliados epibiontes em P. lineata. Sete gêneros de ciliados: cinco peritríquios e dois suctórios foram identificados e classificados nas subclasses Peritrichia : Carchesium Ehrenberg, 1838 (Vorticellidae), Epistylis Ehrenberg, 1830 (Epistylidae), Opercularia Stein, 1854 (Operculariidae), Vaginicola Lamarck, 1816 (Vaginicolidae) e Vorticella Lìnnaeus, 1767 (Vorticellidae); e Suctoria: Acineta Ehrenberg, 1834 (Acinetidae) e Tokophrya Bütschli, 1889 (Tokophrydae). Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que P. lineata constitui o microambiente de uma comunidade de protozoários ciliados que exibem interações tróficas complexas.