Protistology 4 (4) 319-325 (2006/7)
Phylogenetic position and notes on the ultrastructure of Sappinia diploidea (Thecamoebidae)
Rolf Michel,1 Claudia Wylezich,2 Bärbel Hauröder 1 and
Alexey V. Smirnov 3
1
Central Institute of the Federal Armed Forces Medical Services, Koblenz, Germany
Summary
An unusual amoeba, Sappinia diploidea, possessing diplokaryon-like nuclear apparatus and a complex life
cycle, was isolated from the bark of trees and a freshwater pond, identified and re-investigated. The phylogenetic
analysis based on SSU rRNA gene sequences shows close relatedness of this species to the members of the genus
Thecamoeba. It suggests the existence of the monophyletic family Thecamoebidae, comprising the genera
Thecamoeba and Sappinia, but not comprising Dermamoeba algensis, whose phylogenetic position
remains ill-resolved. Until now there was no laboratory culture of this interesting species; as a result of the
present finding, a strain of Sappinia diploidea is deposited with CCAP (UK) and is available for further
studies; a neotype is established for this species.
Key words: amoeba, Thecamoebidae, SSU phylogeny, diplokaryon, ultrastructure, Sappinia
diploidea
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