The Morphology and Biology of Pyxicola nolandi n. sp. (Ciliata, Peritrichida, Vaginicolidae)*

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Abstract
SYNOPSIS. Pyxicola nolandi, n. sp., is a loricate peritrich favored by clean pond water. The yellowish‐brown lorica measures 74 × 25 μ, on the average; supported by a noncontractile stalk, it resembles a vase with a slightly curved neck bearing an oblique opening. The stalk, ∼ 13 × 6 μ, is marked by vertical lines which give it a corrugated appearance. The bluish‐gray translucent truncated body is protrusible beyond the lorica's opening, averages 87 × 15 μ, and is characterized as follows. An expansive sphincter collar that extends into a narrow shelf; 3 rows of concentrically spiralling peristomial membranes; prominent “soie de Lachmann” visible when peristomial region expands; a slightly lobulated discshaped operculum originating on the ventro‐lateral surface of the peristomial collar, averaging 15 μ in diameter, and overhanging the edge of the lorica when the body extends; one contractile vacuole; C‐shaped macronucleus; micronuclcus ∼ 6 times 3 μLarge populations were found in June, July, and August, attached to the alga Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum and to other kinds of filamentous algae. The peritrich was scarce in winter, but it was found even when the pond was covered with ice, providing that Rhizoclonizm survived in the cold weather.Some aspects of binary fission, lorica formation, conjugation, environmental pREFERENCES, and maintenance are described. The peritrich was cultivated in laboratory aquaria. Clones were established repeatedly from pond D‐7 and from laboratory aquaria. Loricae were stained successfully with Congo red. Nuclear phenomena were revealed with the Feulgen technique. Silver impregnation was unsuccessful, thus far.

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