Abstract
D.Sc. (Zoology)
Epistylids (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) were collected from aquatic
hosts and substrates in different localities, . including rivers,
dams and ponds in the Transvaal, Republic of South Africa and the
Eastern Caprivi, South West Africa - Namibia. The ciliates were
mainly found on fish and custaceans but some also occurred on
molluscs, insect larvae and aquatic plants, whilst one species
was planctonic and unattached to any substrate.
Taxonomic descriptions of material collected was based on
observations of live·material and the study of ·silverimpregnated
and hematoxylin stained specimens. Existing silvernitrate and
protargol impregnation methods were modified to meet the demands
of the present study.
A total of 21 species of Epistyl is were identified of which 20
were described as new species. The only known species found was
E. transvaalensis Viljoen & Van As, 1983 and the new species
described are E. campana sp. nov., E. capriviensis sp. nov., E.
concha sp. nov., E.corbula sp. nov., E. crassedostyla sp. nov.,
E. duplocosta sp. nov.,E. furcula sp. nov., E. katimaiensis sp.
nov., E liambeziae sp. nov., E. lisbona sp. nov., E. megaco10nia
sp. nov., E. microstoma sp. nov., E. micula sp. nov., E.
mossambica sp. nov., E. nola sp. nov., E. nzhelelis sp. nov., E.
odonatis sp , nov., E. pratentis sp. nov., E. pseudopolaria sp.
nov., and E. zambeziensis sp. nov.
A genusdiagnosis, based on published information as well as data
obtained during the present study was formulated. This is
foll.owed by a taxonomic key that was drawn up to accommodate all.
existing valid species of the genus. The key is supplemented by a
list of species which includes not only valid but also dubious
species, with remarks on their taxonomic positions, when
applicable.
The morphology of representatives of the genus Epistylis was
studied by means of light and electron microscopy.
Finally, fulfilling a need for terminology on the sessile
ciliophorans in the Afrikaans language, a glossary of terminology
and definitions are given in the appendix.