• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2005

Three species of Gastrostyla ciliates collected from the sewage treatment plant and a puddle in the valley from Korea were identified as Gastrostyla minima Hemberger, 1985, G. steinii Engelmann, 1862 and G. setifera (Engelmann, 1862). The description was based on the observation of living specimens, protargol impregnated specimens and biometric analysis. The morphological variations among the populations of these species were investigated with morphometry. These species have not been reported in Korea and their diagnostic characteristics are as follows: G. minima normally has two oval macronuclei (Ma) with one spherical micronucleus (Mi) respectively, continuous ventral cirral row (VCR) with additional one postoral ventral cirrus (poVC), five transverse cirri (TC), six dorsal kineties (DK) with broken 4th kinety, and cortical granules. G. steinii has four oval Ma with three to five Mi, discontinuous VCR with additional one poVC, four TCs, six DKs, and no cortical granules. G. setifera has two oval Ma with one spherical Mi respectively, five TCs which distinctly separate in two groups, six DKs, discontinuous VCR with additional two poVCs, and no cortical granules.