Diophrys (Styloplotes) appendiculatus Stein ’59.  Fig. 54.

Synonyms:  Styloplotes appendiculatus Stein ’59; Kent ’81;
Quennerstedt ’67, etc.

The general form resembles Euplotes.  Its outline is oval and regular except at the posterior end on the right side, where there is a considerable indentation.  The frontal margin is characterized by a row of powerful membranelles, which become smaller at the peristome and at the mouth they are of characteristically small size.  The ventral cirri are 7 in number.  Five of them are in one row from the anterior end down the right side nearly to the anal cirri; 1 is on the frontal border between the first two; 1 lies just anterior to the second anal cirrus from the right side.  The 5 anal cirri are large and powerful and extend some distance beyond the posterior end of the body.  In all specimens observed these cirri curve to the left.  Dorsal to the anal cirri and placed deep into the dorsal pit are 3 large, sharply curved cirri, which in most cases are fimbriated, but when the specimens are normal these are pointed and curve abruptly to the right.  Two smaller cirri lie to the left of the group of anal cirri.  The peristome is well-marked by the adoral zone, and upon its right border there is a row of cilia, and a similar row of cilia runs along the base of the oral membranelle.  The macronucleus is double and consists of two elongate cylindrical masses lying parallel with one another.  One of these is in the anterior region; the other is posterior.  The contractile vacuole lies dorsal to the anal cirri and anterior to the three dorsal cirri.  The movement and general activities resemble those of Euplotes.

Length 50 mu; diameter 25 mu.

[Illustration:  Fig. 54.—­Diophrys appendiculatus.]

Genus URONYCHIA Stein ’52.

(Stein ’59, ’67; Quennerstedt ’67; Kent ’81; Buetschli ’88.)

Medium-sized colorless ciliates of usually constant body form.  The body is somewhat short and oval in outline.  The anterior end is broadly truncate, the posterior end rounded or slightly pointed.  The ventral and dorsal surfaces are considerably arched and the latter usually has a number of rows of longitudinal stripes.  The open peristome is broad and reaches back to the middle of the ventral surface and beyond.  According to Stein, the two edges can approach each other, thus opening and closing the peristomial area.  Its right edge forms a greater angle with the front edge than in the genus Euplotes, and the left edge forms a greater angle with the front edge than in that genus.  The left edge also appears to cover over the adoral zone slightly.  There are no ventral cirri in front, but on the posterior ventral surface are 7 great springing cirri.  Five of these are inserted on the right aide in a deep in-sinking, and the other 2 in a similar depression on the left ventral surface.  Above the 5 right-side cirri, i.e., dorsal to them, but in the same depression, are 3 angular cirri.  A few edge cirri are found to the left of them and another to the right of the 5 cirri.  The contractile vacuole is on the left side between the main groups of cirri.  The macronucleus is band-form or spherical, and is situated in the middle region of the body.  Movement consists in forward swimming with sudden springs.