A Case Building Ciliate in the Genus Pseudoblepharisma Found in Subtropical Fresh Water

The genus Pseudoblepharisma is currently comprised of only one species, P. tenue, and variant, tenue var. viride, both described as free-living ciliates thriving in oxygen depleted freshwater habitats Europe. Here we report on this being discovered from subtropical freshwaters Florida, USA. Florida strain diverges the by much larger, well having a far higher density intracellular symbiotic green algae, resembling viride. Unlike its European counterparts, North American was observed to build lorica, likely useful for protection feeding; has not been previously genus. In contrast does have endosymbiotic purple bacteria. Despite large distances between sampling zones, species close match at morphological level We provide first 18S rRNA gene sequence allowing future investigations into biogeography As intensive efforts continue increase, cryptic microbial will be recorded diverse global scale.