Morphology and morphogenesis of Uroleptus lepisma (Wenzel, 1953) Foissner,1998 (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida)

Uroleptus is a difficult genus comprising more than 30 species. One of thes e species is Uroleptus lepisma. The morphology and morphogenesis of one Spa nish and one Scottish population of U. lepisma were investigated using livi ng and protargol-impregnated specimens. The morphogenesis of U. lepisma sho ws two unique characteristics within the family Urostylidae: 1) the parenta l adoral zone of membranelles is maintained during the whole morphogenesis; 2) the majority of cirri from the midventral row are retained until after cytokinesis.