The Species Problem in the Opalinids (Protozoa, Opalinata), with Special Reference to Protoopalina

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Abstract
Inadequacy of definition, inaccuracies of observation and interpretation invalidate most supposed species in this group. Authors have been content to describe type individuals, ignoring Metcalf''s advice that identifications must be based on whole infections and not on selected individuals. Other morphological features being of doubtful taxonomic value, specific identification is based mainly on general body form. As statistical morphometric techniques are not applicable to wild populations, the only remaining method of species definition is by a series of illustrations of the whole range of forms that the organism is found to assume. For ease of comparison, these illustrations should be of standard magnification and standard orientation. This method is applied to the identification of 2 spp. of Protoopalina from Bufo regularis, one of which is new and here named P. pseudonutti. The opalinids may be a relict fauna much older than their usual hosts, the anurans. The genus Protoopalina may not represent the ancestral form of the group.

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