Ultrastructural observations on some marine choanoflagellates from the coast of Denmark

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Abstract
The external morphology of eight species of choanoflagellates representing seven genera has been investigated with the electron microscope. Descriptions of three new species (Pleurasiga cupula, Diaphanoeca pedicellata and Stephanoeca pedicellata), a new variety (Pleurasiga minima var. minuta) and an emended description of Salpingoeca natans Gr⊘ntved are provided. All species possess a characteristic protoplast with a single anterior flagellum surrounded by a collar of tentacles and all possess a lorica composed of costae. In two species (Acanthoeca brevipoda Ellis and Diplotheca costata Valkanov) the costal strips forming the posterior chamber are broader than usual. Sections of two species show the presence of a very thin and delicate membrane which secures the protoplast to the lorica.