The Protozoan Fauna of Some Species of Intertidal Invertebrates in Southern California

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Abstract
A partial survey was made of the protozoan faunas of 10 host spp. of intertidal marine gastropods: Acmaea pelta, A. digitalis, A. limatula, A. scabra, A. insessa, A. fenestrata fenestrata, Lottia gigantea, Fissurella volcano, Tegula funebralis and T. ligulata. The ciliates comprised the consistent bulk of the parasite populations; of the 6 ciliate spp. found. Urceolaria karyolobia, Trichodina tegula and Scyphidia ubiquita are new; Urceolaria korschelti, Licnophora conklini and Eupoterion pernix are first records from S. California gastropods. The incidence, location and effect of the parasites upon the hosts were studied. The primary parasite faunules of the limpets and turbans surveyed belong to the ciliate order Peritricha. Scyphidia ubiquita occurred naturally in all 10 hosts; Urceolaria spp. and Eupoterion were limited to members of the Acmaeidae; Trichodina to turban hosts; Licnophora occurred primarily in Fissurella. but were also found in Acmaea insessa and Tegula funebralis. Cross infection studies were conducted.