Two New Amoebae, Striamoeba sparolata n. sp. and Flamella tiara n. sp., from Fresh Water

Abstract

Twp new amoebae are described from phase contrast observations made on specimens collected from Florida and Ohio, USA. Ohio specimens occurred among Aufwuchs on the midland painted turtle, Chrysemys picta marginata, and the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina serpentina, while Florida specimens were found among the bottom detritus in muddy ponds. Striamoeba sparolata n. sp. (Thecamoebidae) is spearhead-shaped, 35-45 (xm by 12.5-22.5 |^m at the broadest point when in motion, with a clear bulbous anterior end and smooth uroid. There are usually two indistinct dorsal ridges, a spherical nucleus, 2-4 jam in diameter with a variable number of parietal nucleolar pieces and many endoplasmic lightrefractile granules. No pseudopods are formed during locomotion. Flamella tiara n. sp. (Flabellulidae) exhibits continuous changes in shape while in rapid motion but is more or less broadly arcate in steady slow progress. This amoeba is 30-40 |im wide, 12-25 |^m long, with many conical, papulate subpseudopodia extending from the body surface and leading edge. Adhesive, pseudo-uroidal filaments are trailed. An indistinct, spherical nucleus, about 3.5 (im, is present. The endoplasm is finely granular with no crystals. These two rarely encountered species occur as small populations and the present description will enable recognition by future researchers.