Wylezich, C.; Kaufmann, D.; Marcuse, M.; Hülsmann, N. (2014). Dracomyxa pallida gen. et sp. nov.: A New Giant Freshwater Foraminifer, with Remarks on the Taxon Reticulomyxidae (emend.). Protist. 165(6): 854-869.
Wylezich, C.; Kaufmann, D.; Marcuse, M.; Hülsmann, N.
2014
Dracomyxa pallida gen. et sp. nov.: A New Giant Freshwater Foraminifer, with Remarks on the Taxon Reticulomyxidae (emend.)
Protist
165(6): 854-869
Publication
Available for editors
Reticulomyxids are organotrophic freshwater foraminifers typically placed within the radiation of early
monothalamous Foraminifera. Though ubiquitous, reticulomyxids are rarely reported, which may be
due both to their concealed life style and to inappropriate isolation techniques. Their taxonomic position
is largely based on developmental stages of the life cycle. Here, we describe a new freshwater species,
Dracomyxa pallida gen. nov. et sp. nov., isolated from submersed plant material. It has two possible
life cycles including small cells, large plasmodia and encysted stages. Both types of development
occur simultaneously in cultures derived from a single cell as well as in crude cultures. We amplified
and sequenced a short sequence fragment of the 18S rRNA gene of the new isolate. Comparative
phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization indicate that it is a new reticulomyxid species,
with Reticulomyxa filosa Nauss, Haplomyxa saranae Dellinger and Wobo gigas Hülsmann as the closest
relatives. Unique features such as tripodal pediculated cysts and the lack of cleansing process justify
the erection of a new genus.
