Notommatidae

Monommata (mon-owe-mat-a), a rotifer (metazoa). Rotifers typically have an exoskeleton in segments which can telescope, with a corona of feeding cilia at the anterior end and with toes or podites posteriorly. This genus has very strongly developed toes, and muscle fibres can be seen within the toes. The toes can flick suddenly. Rotifers are common members of the microbial communities of many aquatic ecosystems. Although they are multiceullar animals, they may be only be 100 microns long, and so overlap in size with ciliates. They can be confused with ciliates because they use cilia to capture their food. However, they can be distinguished because they have an exoskeleton, usually two posterior toes, and a tough pharyngeal region just behind the head.

Taphrocampa annulosa Gosse, as seen from above; body curved so that the food is not visible.

Pleurotrocha parasitica n. sp. Ventral view.

Ribadelago de Franco, Castille and Leon, Spain

It is caracterised by a round tail and short toes.

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Lardero, La Rioja, Espaa

San Martin De Castaneda, Castille and Leon, Spain

Ribadelago de Franco, Castille and Leon, Spain

Ribadelago, Castille and Leon, Spain

Body is cylindrical and ventrally very curved.

Galende, Castille and Leon, Spain

Urbanitzacio El Lledoner, Catalonia, Spain

Muelas del Pan, Castille and Leon, Spain

Villoslada de Cameros, La Rioja, Spain

Sample from a pond near Großostheim, Germany. Sampling date 04/2021. Images were taken using stereomicroscope Olympus SZX16 with Olympus OM-D M5 MKII. Image under Creative Commons License V 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA). Place name: Pond near Großostheim (Germany) Latitude: 49,88482168 Longitude: 9,09980822 Probe aus einem Waldteich bei Großostheim. Datum der Aufsammlung: 04/2021. Mikrotechnik: Stereomikroskop Olympus SZX16, Kamera: Olympus OM-D M5 MKII. Creative Commons License V 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA). For permission to use of (high-resolution) images please contact postmaster@protisten.de.

Monommata, a rotifer with two very long posterior spines. The spines are motile and can flex. Phase contrast micrograph.

Taphrocampa annulosa Gosse. Side view.

Pleurotrocha parasitica n. sp. Side view.

Ribadelago, Castille and Leon, Spain

Muelas del Pan, Castille and Leon, Spain

Ribadelago, Castille and Leon, Spain