Riemann, O., Wilts, E.F., Ahlrichs, W.H. and Kieneke, A. 2009. Body musculature of Beauchampiella eudactylota (Gosse 1886) (Rotifera: Euchlanidae) with additional new data on its trophi and overall morphology. -Acta Zoologica 90 : 265-274This study presents the results of confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence-labelled phalloidin used to visualize the system of body musculature in Beauchampiella eudactylota . Moreover, the poorly known trophi of B. eudactylota are described based on scanning electron microscopy. In total, four paired longitudinal muscles (musculi longitudinales I-IV) and three circular muscles (musculi circulares I-III) were identified. Among these are the musculus longitudinalis ventralis, the musculus longitudinalis dorsalis and the musculus circumpedalis as documented in previous studies for other rotifer species. Compared to other species, B. eudactylota is characterized by the low number of lateral longitudinal muscles and the absence of some longitudinal muscles (musculi longitudinales capitum) and circular muscles (corona sphincter, musculus pars coronalis). Moreover, scanning electron microscopic data on the trophi of B. eudactylota reveal a number of striking similarities to the trophi in some species of Epiphanidae. This suggests that either (1) these similarities represent plesiomorphic characters present both in Epiphanidae and B. eudactylota or (2) they are synapomorphic features of B. eudactylota and some species of Epiphanidae, which would question the monophyly of Euchlanidae.
In the course of phylogenetic investigations across Rotifera, we reinvestigated Proales sigmoidea (Skorikov, 1896) and found significant similarities with respect to its morphology, ecology and behaviour to Pleurotrocha petromyzon (Ehrenberg, 1830). Both species feed on stalked ciliates and show a similar habitus as well as similar virgate trophi. We here present new morphological details for both species based on light and electron micrographs. In light of our results, we suggest the reassignment of Proales sigmoidea to Pleurotrocha Ehrenberg, 1830. To further support our case, we provide additional comparisons with other species of the latter genus, including Pleurotrocha robusta (Glasscott, 1893), for which we present additional information.
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