Abstract
We documented the pattern of cell development in
Euplotes charon
. The ontogenesis of this species was similar to many of its congeners, except for the formation of the caudal cirri. In
E. Charon
, a caudal cirrus is formed posterior to each of the rightmost two or three dorsal kinety anlage in the proter, and the second rightmost dorsal kinety in the opisthe. In addition, two caudal cirri are formed posterior to the rightmost dorsal kinety in the opisthe. This pattern of development represents a completely new type. Based on our evaluation, and in comparison with previous studies, we also conclude that the pattern of cell development is variable among species in the
Euplotes
genera. The variation is particularly evident during the formation of frontoventral and caudal cirri. Based on the segmentation pattern of frontal-midventral transverse cirral anlagen, cirri reduction, and migration of frontoventral cirri, we identified five types: the
affinis
-type, the
eurystomus
-type, the
charon
-type, the
raikovi
-type and
orientalis
-type.
Euplotes
(s. l.) can also be divided into three types based on the formation of caudal cirri:
focardii
-type,
vannus
-type and
charon
-type. Indeed, we conclude that the number (one or two) of marginal cirri should be given as much consideration as the genetic separation. Given this, we reassessed the validity of using genetic separation to classify the group. Generally, the morphogenetic data disagreed with the molecular data (SSrRNA gene sequences). Given these discrepancies, it is too early to draw conclusions on the systematic arrangement of this species-rich taxon.