THE RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY 2008 THE RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY 2008 56(2): 245–249 Date of Publication: 31 Aug.2008 © National University of Singapore ROTIFERS OF WATERFALL MOSSES FROM PHU HIN RONG KLA NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF LECANE MARTENSI, NEW SPECIES (ROTIFERA: MONOGONONTA: LECANIDAE) Sukonthip Savatenalinton Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang, Kantarawichai, Mahasarakham 44150 Thailand. Email: [email protected] Hendrik Segers Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Freshwater Biology, Vautierstraat 29, B – 1000 Brussels, Belgium Email: [email protected] (Corresponding author) ABSTRACT. – Samples of mosses from Pharadon waterfall in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand were collected in December 2004 in order to contribute to the record of moss-dwelling rotifers in Southeast Asia. Twelve species of monogonont rotifers were identifi ed, one of which, Lecane martensi, new species, is described here. Lepadella minuta (Weber & Montet) and Lecane agilis (Bryce) are new to Thailand. This contribution provides more evidence illustrating the paucity of records on moss- dwelling rotifers in Thailand. KEY WORDS. – Rotifera, Lecane martensi, new species, Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Thailand. INTRODUCTION of Pharadorn Waterfall, which is downstream from Romklao Waterfall in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park (Fig. 1). This Rotifers are small pseudocoelomate animals, which live park has a steep mountainous topography, with altitudes in a diverse range of aquatic habitats (see Pejler, 1995). ranging between 1,200 and 1,600 m asl. The climate, with The latter also include semi-terrestrial habitats such as the an average annual temperature of 26.8 °C, is relatively cool water fi lm surrounding soil particles, lichens and mosses. for the region (Rattanathirakul & Boonkerd, 2003). Only Although the Thai rotifer fauna is the best-documented of all one sample was taken on 3 December 2004 during a short Southeast Asian faunae (Segers, 2001), and several additional visit by the fi rst author to Pharadorn Waterfall. This sample taxonomic and ecological studies have been published was preserved in 4% formaldehyde. Rotifer specimens were recently (Sanoamuang & Savatenalinton, 2001; Chittapun sorted from the sample and examined using an Olympus et al., 2003; Segers et al., 2004; Savatenalinton & Segers, CH 30 compound microscope. Drawings were made using 2005), most of these papers report on rotifers inhabiting a camera lucida. Light photomicrographs were taken under the pelagic and littoral zones of diverse habitats like ponds, an Olympus AX-70 dissecting microscope equipped with an swamps, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and paddy fi elds. Precise Olympus PM-C 35 DX automatic camera. Type materials are information on the rotifer fauna of microhabitats in Thailand deposited in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and, in fact, in tropical Asia, is very scarce. There is only a (K.B.I.N./I.R.S.N.B.), Brussels, Belgium and the Natural single report on the community of moss-dwelling rotifers in History Museum, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, a tropical freshwater peat swamp on Phuket Island (Segers Thailand. & Chittapun, 2001). In order to contribute to the knowledge of moss-dwelling rotifers, we examined the rotifer fauna of mosses from Pharadorn Waterfall in Phu Hin Rong Kla RESULTS AND DISCUSSION National Park. A total of 12 species were recorded from the moss sample (Table 1), one of which is new to science. Lecane agilis MATERIALS AND METHODS (Bryce) (Fig. 2) and Lepadella minuta (Weber & Montet) (Figs. 3–4) are new to Thailand. Apart from the new We directly picked up mosses soaked with water at the bank species, most of the monogonont rotifers encountered are 245 0022__SSaavv&&SSeeggeerrss__PPgg 224455--224499..iinndddd 224455 99//11//0088 77::5500::0088 AAMM Savatenalinton & Segers: Moss-dwelling rotifers from Thailand Table 1. List of rotifer species found from waterfall mosses from Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Thailand, in this study: *new to Thailand, **new species. Brachionus angularis Gosse, 1851 Brachionus forfi cula Wierzejski, 1891 Colurella adriatica Ehrenberg, 1831 Keratella cochlearis (Gosse, 1851) Keratella tropica (Apstein, 1907) *Lecane agilis (Bryce, 1892) Lecane arcuata (Bryce, 1891) Lecane lunaris (Ehrenberg, 1832) **Lecane martensi, new species Lecane paxiana Hauer, 1940 *Lepadella minuta (Weber & Montet, 1918) Trichocerca pusilla (Jennings, 1903) cosmopolitan; two (Brachionus forfi cula Wierzejski and basic water (pH 7.2), while they were previously documented Lecane paxiana Hauer) are Eastern-hemisphere species. Most from acidic waters (Segers, 1995; Chittapun & Pholpunthin, are characteristically thermophilic. The record of Lecane 2001; Jersabek, 2003). Too little is known of the habitat of paxiana is the second Thai record of this rare species (see Lecane paxiana to generalize. We prefer a series of extensive Savatenalinton & Segers, 2005), the same holds for the surveys of semi-terrestrial habitats to illustrate the actual more common Lecane arcuata (Bryce) (see Sanoamuang habitat specifi city of these taxa. et al., 1995). There is however, a single, non-illustrated record of Lecane agilis from the Oriental region (Singapore: Although the sample we studied is collected in a limnoterrestrial Karunakaran & Jonhnson, 1978, sub. Lecane aquilis). habitat, we also found planktonic rotifers such as Keratella cochlearis, Keratella tropica and Trichocerca pusilla. These Both Lepadella minuta and Lecane agilis are particularly specimens probably originate from an upstream pool that small species, which are nevertheless widespread. We surmise spills in the waterfall. The low number of species recorded that, by their minute size, they may have been overlooked may be due to the small size of the sample, and the availability before. The occurrence of Lecane agilis and Lecane arcuata of only a single sample. In addition, we ignored the bdelloid in the present investigation conforms to previous reports on rotifers, which are particularly diverse, and characteristic, their habitat. Lecane agilis (Bryce) occurs in submerged together with tardigrades, to limnoterrestrial habitats (Ricci mosses such as Sphagnum, whereas Lecane arcuata (Bryce) et al., 2003). inhabits various aquatic habitats such as fi lamentous algae, submerged mosses, puddles and peat swamps. Based on To date, very few records exist of moss-dwelling rotifers in the few earlier records available (Pejler & Berzin, 1994; Thailand. Segers & Chittapun (2001) identifi ed two samples Segers, 1995) and the present observations, it is probably of hygropsammon from coastal freshwater peat swamp on premature to note that the ecological range of Lecane agilis Phuket Island and reported six taxa new to Thailand including is relatively narrow. However, we found the two in slightly three new species. Our results extend the knowledge of the Fig. 1. Sampled locality in Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park (✰), Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. 246 0022__SSaavv&&SSeeggeerrss__PPgg 224455--224499..iinndddd 224466 99//11//0088 77::5500::0088 AAMM THE RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY 2008 rotifer community in such semi-terrestrial habitats, revealing TAXONOMY a new Lecane and two new records from the country. It can reasonably be expected that an even higher diversity of Lecane martensi, new species rotifers exists in Thailand, which will be revealed if more (Figs. 5–8) extensive studies are performed in all types of aquatic habitats including microhabitats. Type locality. – Pharadorn Waterfall (17°02'12"N 101°03'27.6"E), Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phitsanulok province, Thailand. Figs. 2–7. Lecane spp. and Lepadella: 2, Lecane agilis (Bryce), ventral view; 3, Lepadella minuta (Weber & Montet), ventral; 4, Lepadella minuta, lateral; 5, Lecane martensi, new species, ventral; 6, Lecane martensi, new species, dorsal; 7, Lecane martensi, new species, trophi, ventral view. 247 0022__SSaavv&&SSeeggeerrss__PPgg 224455--224499..iinndddd 224477 99//11//0088 77::5500::0099 AAMM Savatenalinton & Segers: Moss-dwelling rotifers from Thailand Material examined. – Female holotype, deposited in the Royal broad, posterior margin with medial projection. Foot Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (K.B.I.N./I.R.S.N.B., IG 30898 pseudosegment large, rectangular, not or slightly projecting. RIR 178), Brussels, Belgium. Toes fused basally, fi xed in a spread position, connected basally by a membrane. Toes with distinct pseudoclaws. Paratypes: two females deposited in the Royal Belgian Institute of Trophi (Fig. 7): fulcrum short, curved, rod-shaped in ventral, Natural Sciences (K.B.I.N./I.R.S.N.B., IG 30898 RIR 179–180), squarish in oblique view. Rami asymmetrical, with rounded Brussels, Belgium and two females deposited in the Natural right, and curved left alulus. Inner margins of right ramus History Museum, Mahasarakham University (MSU-ZRC 002–003), Mahasarakham, Thailand. All specimens from the type locality, with three well-developed processi, left with indication of coll. S. Savatenalinton, 3 Dec.2004. weaker processi. Unci asymmetrical, right stronger than left, consisting of fused plates with two unequal but large, and Differential diagnosis. – Lecane martensi, new species, can be one much smaller tooth. Manubria elongate, distally curved, confused with Lecane paxiana Hauer (Fig. 9) by its small size shafts expanded dorso-ventrally into broad lamellas. and presence of pseudoclaws. The two can be distinguished by the relatively soft lorica, broad prepedal fold and large pseudosegment Measurements. – Dorsal plate length 38–50 (45), width of Lecane martensi, new species. Although both species have toes 43–53 (49), ventral plate length 40–53 (49), width 40–50 that are fused basally, the degree of fusion in Lecane paxiana it (46), toe length 11–13 (12), pseudoclaw 5–6 (5) (range and distinctively less than in Lecane martensi, new species. Furthermore, no connective membrane between the toes exists in Lecane mean, in µm. All type specimens measured). paxiana. Etymology. – The species is named after Dr. Koen Martens Description. – Female (male unknown): Lorica relatively (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels) in soft. Dorsal plate wider than ventral, smooth, irregularly recognition of his outstanding contributions to biodiversity folded. Head aperture margins nearly coincident, ventrally of freshwater organisms. and dorsally rather straight, antero-lateral corners angulate. Inner margins of head aperture with transverse rows of Distribution and ecology. – Lecane martensi, new species minute spinules. Ventral plate slightly longer than wide, with is a rare species, with only a small number of specimens weak, incomplete transverse and elongate longitudinal folds, found inhabiting waterfall mosses. This species is to date smooth. Lateral margins smooth or irregularly undulate. Foot only known from its type locality, during the cool season plate broad, coxal plate rounded. Prepedal fold relatively (December). Water temperature was 25ºC, pH was 7.2. Figs. 8–9. Lecane spp., photomicrograph (composite images): 8, Lecane martensi, new species; 9, Lecane paxiana (Hauer). 248 0022__SSaavv&&SSeeggeerrss__PPgg 224455--224499..iinndddd 224488 99//11//0088 77::5500::1100 AAMM THE RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY 2008 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Rattanathirakul, W. & T. Boonkerd, 2003. Taxonomy of Ferns and Fern Allies at Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phitsanulok The fi rst author wishes to thank the Biology Department, Province. BRT 2003 Research Reports, 58–67. Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University for supporting Ricci, C., R. Shiel, D. Fontaneto & G. Melone, 2003. Bdelloid this fi eld trip which is one part of a freshwater biology course. rotifers recorded from Australia with description of Philodinavus The fi rst author also thanks Mr. Isara Thani for organizing aussiensis n.sp. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 242: 241–248. this interesting trip. Sanoamuang, L. & S. Savatenalinton, 2001. 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