On Papulifères, putative ciliate cysts of diverse morphologies, with new observations from the plankton of the Chukchi Sea (Arctic Ocean)

In the early 20th century, Alphonse Meunier described "Papulifères" as a group of enigmatic forms unknown taxonomic affinity characterized by possessing hyaline pimple, "papula". 1980's Papulifères were equated with cysts tintinnid ciliates. The most conspicuous forms, large Fusopsis, have been widely found, and are now known to resemble cyst certain species oligotrich ciliate (i.e., Cyrtostrombidium boreale). Thus today, Papulifère often assumed be Here we report on 26 more or less distinct morphologies, found in plankton Chukchi Sea. We resembling some those Meunier, recorded here for first time since Meunier's reports, others that do not any Papulifères. Here, review literature Papulifères, then present surprising variety Sea, some, provide data morphological variability. With this expanded catalogue observed documented variability dimensions morphotypes. However, urge caution assigning name given form absence corroborating data. There is need observational and/or sequence-based elucidate identity forms.