3 NEW LIMAX AMEBAS ISOLATED FROM MARINE SURFACE SEDIMENTS - VAHLKAMPFIA-CALEDONICA N-SP, SACCAMOEBA-MARINA N-SP, AND HARTMANNELLA-VACUOLATAN-SP

Three new limax amoebae, isolated from marine, surface sediment sample s are described using light microscopic and fine structural features. One species, characterized by eruptive locomotion typical of the famil y Vahlkampfiidae, is assigned the name Vahlkampfia caledonica (47.4 +/ - 16.0 mu m x 12.1 +/- 3.2 mu m). The other two monopodial species mov e with steady locomotion characteristic of the family Hartmannellidae. One is a Saccamoeba with a distinct posterior bulbous uroid, vacuoles containing prominent crystals, glycocalyx with cup-like components, a nd spherical nucleus with central nucleolus. It is assigned the name S accamoeba marina (72.5 +/- 14.9 mu m x 20.7 +/- 4.5 mu m). The other h artmannellid limax amoeba moves by steady locomotion and has a rather constant monopodial form, lacks a uroid, but has occasional trailing m asses of cytoplasm, contains cup-like structures in the glycocalyx, an d is characterized by numerous vacuoles. Based on the latter character istic, it is assigned the name Hartmannella vacuolata (32.8 +/- 6.8 mu m x 8.5 +/- 1.8 mu m). Few limax amoebae have been described from mar ine environments and these data provide additional evidence that limax amoebae may be more abundant in marine sediments than realized previo usly.