A MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE EUPLOTES CHARON MORPHOTYPE (CILIOPHORA, EUPLOTIDA)

Twenty-one different strains of Euplotes of the cirrotype 10, double d argyrome morphotype were collected in marine and brackish habitats fro m widely varying geographic locations. The strains were cultured under similar conditions prior to fixation and staining. The morphological features considered included the cell lengths and widths, the number a nd position of all the ventral cirri, adoral membranelles and dorsal c ilia, and the position of the peristomal shelf. Univariate and multiva riate analyses revealed continua in these measurements among the strai ns, as well as significant correlations between cell length and the nu mber of adoral membranelles, the number of dorsal cilia, and the lengt h, width and area of the oral cavity. Based on data from this study an d from previous studies, we conclude that the traditional criteria use d for species descriptions within this morphotype are insufficient to provide robust distinctions. Therefore, we submerge all of the descrip tions within this morphotype under the nomenclaturally superior Euplot es charon Muller, 1786.