Urceolus cornutus is a species of heterotrophic flagellates present in marine environments. Described in 1990 by Jacob Larsen and David Patterson from sediment samples off the coast of Fiji, it is distinguished from other species by very fine and compact pellicle stripes that follow an S-helix shape, and a collar with a regular or symmetrical outline.
| Urceolus cornutus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Phylum: | Euglenozoa |
| Class: | Euglenida |
| Order: | Peranemida |
| Family: | Peranemidae |
| Genus: | Urceolus |
| Species: | U. cornutus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Urceolus cornutus | |
Description
editUrceolus cornutus is a species of flagellate, a unicellular eukaryote or protist that moves with one emergent flagellum for movement, present in the anterior region of the cell.[1] Like other species of the genus Urceolus, the flagellum and a feeding groove are located in a canal with an anterior neck-like opening surrounded by a neck-like aperture.[2] No second flagellum has been observed, but is probably located within the canal. In particular, U. cornutus cells are broadly sack-shaped, 27–50 μm long and 10–20 μm wide. Their neck is 12–20 μm in diameter, with a regular outline. The flagellum is equal in length or slightly longer than the cell. The pellicle stripes, characteristic of euglenids, are delicate and closely spaced, in the shape of an S-helix and reaching into the collar. The feeding apparatus or ingestion organelle, located at the base of the canal, is well-developed and is composed of two microtubular rods. The canal itself opens subapically. The nucleus is located at the posterior end of the cell.[1][3][4][5]
Distribution and habitat
editUrceolus cornutus is a phagotrophic protist inhabiting marine sediment, where it feeds on microalgae. It was discovered in Laucala Bay, Fiji,[1] but has also been recorded in other marine sites, such as the coast of Sydney, Australia,[4][6] the Oslofjord in Norway,[3][5] and off the coast of Cantabria, Spain.[7]
Taxonomy
editThe species Urceolus cornutus was described by protistologists Jacob Larsen and David Patterson in a 1990 study of flagellates from tropical marine sediments, published in the Journal of Natural History. It was found at Laucala Bay, Fiji.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Jacob Larsen; David J. Patterson (August 1990). "Some flagellates (Protista) from tropical marine sediments". Journal of Natural History. 24 (4): 801–937. doi:10.1080/00222939000770571. ISSN 0022-2933. Wikidata Q54494137.
- ^ C. Mereschkowsky (1881). "XVIII.—On some new or little-known Infusoria". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Fifth series. 7 (39): 209–219. doi:10.1080/00222938109459496.
- ^ a b Eider Zubizarreta Garai (2005). Diversity of sandflagellates in the Oslofjord (Master thesis). Universitetet i Oslo.
- ^ a b Won Je Lee (June 2006). "Heterotrophic Euglenids from Marine Sediments of Cape Tribulation, Tropical Australia" (PDF). Ocean science journal : OSJ. 41 (2): 59–73. doi:10.1007/BF03022412. ISSN 1738-5261. Wikidata Q104428258.
- ^ a b Istak Tork-Pour (2015). Seasonal dynamics and diversity of microalgae and flagellate protists of two sandy shores in Oslofjorden (Master thesis). Universitetet i Oslo.
- ^ Sabrina Schroeckh; Won Je Lee; David J. Patterson (2003). "Free-living heterotrophic euglenids from freshwater sites in mainland Australia". Hydrobiologia. 493 (1/3): 131–166. doi:10.1023/A:1025457801420. ISSN 0018-8158. Wikidata Q57441542.
- ^ Gregorio Fernandez-Leborans; Beatriz Valgañon; Mercedes Castro de Zaldumbide (November 1999). "Characterization of a marine sublittoral area facing the open sea, using epibenthic protists". Bulletin of Marine Science. 65 (3): 725–743. ISSN 1553-6955. Wikidata Q125723193.