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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Microdissection and Dissociation of the Murine Oviduct: Individual Segment Identification and Single Cell Isolation
Published on: November 4, 2021
Euplotes octocarinatus Carter, 1972 (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea, Euplotidae): Considerations on its morphology,
Daniel Méndez-Sánchez1, Rosaura Mayén-Estrada1, Xiaozhong Hu2
1Laboratorio de Protozoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Circuito Ext. s/núm. Ciudad Universitaria, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán C.P. 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
Abstract:
The cosmopolitan genus Euplotes Ehrenberg, 1830 comprises a highly distinguishable group of ciliates. However, details of the cell surface, the ciliature, and molecular data are still scarce for some species. We studied Euplotes octocarinatus Carter, 1972 from two Mexican freshwater bodies, providing data on its morphology, SSU rRNA gene sequence, and phylogeny. In addition, we obtained all data of previous records to show its geographic distribution and biogeographical pattern. The current populations showed some differences as compared with the original description and we provide an improved diagnosis. Morphologically, the species is very similar to Euplotes patella and E. daidaleos but differs by invariably having eight dorsolateral kineties (vs. nine in Euplotes patella and E. daidaleos), and lacking endosymbiotic green algae (vs. present in E. daidaleos). Phylogenetically, the Mexican population of E. octocarinatus nested with four isolates of the species lacking morphological characterization. The Euplotes octocarinatus described herein grouped into a fully-supported clade, which includes E. patella, E. amieti, E. daidaleos, E. eurystomus, E. woodruffi and E. aediculatus. Biogeographically, E. octocarinatus seems to have a wide distribution.

