Description of Leptopharynx brasiliensis nov. spec. and Leptopharynx costatus gonohymen nov. subspec. (Ciliophora, Microthoracida)

Using standard morphological methods, we describe one new Leptopharynx species and a new subspecies of L. costatus, both from soil of the neotropic region. Further, we studied two populations of L. costatus costatus. Leptopharynx brasiliensis nov. spec., which was discovered in the Mato Grosso, Brazil, is a large member (60 μm) of the genus with an enormous oral basket. It differs from similar congeners in having six monokinetids in kinety 6, widely spaced kinetids in kinety 1, and an average of 294 kinetids. Leptopharynx costatus gonohymen nov. subspec., which was discovered in southern Florida, makes a small (35 μm) and a large morph (55 μm) both with narrow oral basket. The small morph is inseparable from the small morph of L. costatus costatus, while the large morph has right-angled adoral membranelles and widely (vs. narrowly) spaced kinetids in kinety 1. The small morphs of a Brazilian and an Austrian L. costatus match Mexican and other European populations, all having on average 181–187 kinetids. As yet, we know four morphs of L. costatus that differ by body size (small vs. large), the oral basket (narrow vs. wide), membranelle 1 (present vs. absent), and the arrangement of the membranelles (flat vs. angled).