Trophogemma Jankowski 1970

Genus Trophogemma Jankowski, 1970

Improved diagnosis. Suctorian ciliates with large, laterally flattened cell body, attaching to the host body surface by a stalk. Two actinophores (cell body protuberances) placed near the base of the body, and a tentacle fascicle at the top. A few tentacle fascicles located at several levels or several tentacles evenly distributed along the margin of the body. Lateral tentacles can be absent. Macronucleus band-like but not branched. Micronuclei small and numerous. Reproduction by vermigemmy with worm-like, unciliate swarmers. Commensal species of marine crustaceans.

Type species. Trophogemma poljanskyi Jankowski, 1970

Remarks. Jankowski (1970) observed that the closest species of Trophogemma poljanskyi is Rhabdophrya wailesi Kahl, 1934, but proposed the allocation of the two species in separate genera due to the smaller length of the stalk of T. poljanskyi. However, the degree of development of the stalk structure appears not to be a character significant enough to erect a new genus as suggested by Dovgal (2002). In addition, actinophores are absent in representatives of the genus Rhabdophrya Chatton et Collin, 1910, whereas two basal actinophores like those in Trophogemma are present in R. wailesi. Thus, we propose to transfer Rhabdophrya wailesi into the genus Trophogemma as Trophogemma wailesi (Kahl, 1934) comb. n.