The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta
Epistylis
Epistylis Ehrenberg, 1830 (ref. ID; 2014) or 1838 (ref. ID; 1248, 1555)
Class Oligohymenophora: Subclass Peritricha: Order Peritrichida: Suborder Sessilina (ref. ID; 2014)
Family Epistylidae Kahl, 1935 (ref. ID; 1248)
[ref. ID; 2014]
Colonial. Inverted bell-shaped body mounted upon branched non-contractile stalk. The peristome with a definite lip encircling the oral region and the peristomial ciliary rows wind only once around the peristome. Often epizooic.
Most easily confused with Heteropolaria and Campanella in which genera the peristomal ciliary rows wind 1+1/2 and 4-6 times around the peristome respectively. Could also be mistaken for Opercularia and Orbopercularia in which genera the peristomes are without a lip.
Quote; Colin R. Curds, Michael A. Gates and David McL. Roberts "British and other freshwater ciliated protozoa Part II Ciliophora: Oligohymenophora and Polyhymenophora" Cambridge University Press, 1983 (ref. ID; 2014)
[ref. ID; 1555]
Type species; Epistylis digitalis Ehrenberg, 1838 (ref. ID; 1555)
This species occurs not only on the gills and peripherial parts of Crustacea, but also in the activated sludge with a medium or low organic load. (ref. ID; 917)
Epizoic protozoa. The zooid of E. daphniae is about 35-45 um long and 25-35 um wide. Its body form is an inverted bell-shape. The ciliate attaches itself on the surface of hosts by a non-contractile stalk. In a well-developed colony of E. daphniae, the thin, flexuous stalks are usually long, and can be up to six times the zooid length. Sometimes the stalk sheath has several dark bands which might be caused by dense crackles or fractures of the sheath. (ref. ID; 1662)
Remarks
The ciliate can be distinguished from E. helenae Green by the characteristics of its stalk (Green 1974). (ref. ID; 1662)
Small species in the shape of a not-wide funnel, the apical part nearly cylindrical or lengthly narrowed below the peristome, terminal part narrowed regularly down to the basis. The swelling is relatively thick, peristome equal to the width of the body. Macronucleus C-shaped, lies transversely in the apical part. The colonies consisting of 2-4 individuals or single zooids on very long stalk are attached to the stalks of other colonial peritrichs (Epistylis, Carchesium). The stalks in the form a widened disc at the terminal end. Found only in the activated sludge. (ref. ID; 917)
Small species characterized by a regular pear-like shape and by a narrow, very spindly terminal end. The peristome is very narrowed and circled round by a strong peristomial swelling. Macronucleus C-shaped, situated transversely in the widest body part. Disc is flat. Cytopharynx narrow, long, reaching up to the terminal part of the body. Stalk slim, branching irregular, often one-sided, branches a little curved. Colonies with less than 10 individuals. (ref. ID; 917)
Peristomal ring prominent; flat cap makes a slight angle with the ring; band-form macronucleus transverse to long axis, in the anterior third; gullet with ciliated wall; 40-50 zooids in a colony; attached to the antennae and body surface of crayfish or to painted and snapping turtles. (ref. ID; 1618)
Elongated bell-form, contracted individuals with characteristics at posterior end. Pellicle slightly annulated. Macronucleus: transverse to longitudinal axis in the anterior part of the cell; dichotomously branched (ref. ID; 1219)
Mesurements
Individuals 70-160 um, colony up to 3 mm. (ref. ID; 1219)
110-162 um long; colony often up to 3 mm. high. (ref. ID; 1618)
A big variety with a body as an elongated pear. In some cases body is more elongated and extended both in the upper as well as in the lower part. It is similar to E. urceolata, but differs by the duplicate peristome, by the thin and irregularly bent macronucleus, by a thick and long stalk which is longitudinally striated and has a lucid central canal. (ref. ID; 917)