Rhabdophrya mumbaiensis n. sp.

(Fig. 2A–B, 3A–E)

Diagnosis: Aloricate, stalked suctorian ciliate with elongated, very slightly laterally flattened, saсciform body with distinct longitudinal folds (Fig. 3A, C). The edges of the body are somewhat thinner than the central part (Fig. 3 B, D). There are up to 33 tentacles, which are rod-like with conically enlarged bases, arranged in two rows along the length of the body lateral edge. Macronucleus ellipsoidal, positioned in the lower part of the cell body. Stalk about the same length as the body, or some longer, transparent, furnished with noticeable longitudinal fold and with widening (physon) in contact zone with the base of the body. Reproduction not observed.

Measurements (in µm, based on two individuals): Body length 74–87; body width 32–33; body thickness 23; stalk length 35–51; stalk width 7–11; physon width 11–16; dimensions of macronucleus 16–19×9–11; tentacle length 11–41; number of the tentacles 26–33.

Type materials: Type materials for new species are deposited (by third author Sabyasachi Sautya) at CSIRNational Institute of Oceanography Taxonomic Reference Centre, Mumbai, India (CSIR-NIO).

Type locality: Navy-Nagar, Mumbai intertidal coralline region; latitude 18°54’17.05’’N longitude 72°48’08.09’’E west coast of India, the Arabian Sea (Fig. 1).

Type host: Benthic harpacticoid copepods (Fig. 2A, B).

Localization (Attachment place of epibiont on basibiont): Thoracal segments of harpacticoid hosts (Fig. 2A, B).

Differential diagnosis: The new species is most relative to R. truncata, R. nymphonis and R. populiformis but differs from these species by ellipsoid instead of band-like macronucleus and presence of physon. The new species differs from R. trimorpha by long stalk with physon and by shorter, compact cell body.

Etymology: The specific epithet reflects the type locality Mumbai.