The Morphology and Small Subunit rDNA Gene Phylogeny of the Novel Goniomonad Genus Ebisugoniomonas and Two Novel Poseidogoniomonas Species

Goniomonads are representatives of Cryptista. They are morphologically and genetically diverse, comprising nine genera described so far. 18S rDNA data has revealed at least one more monophyletic genus-level lineage, as well as novel species within currently described genera. The molecular diversity of goniomonads is not fully investigated, and addition of novel sequences can be crucial for understanding the evolution and diversity of goniomonads and for providing a basis for taxonomic descriptions. In this study, we establish new cultured strains of goniomonads and describe the new genus and species Ebisugoniomonas hispanica n. g. et n. sp., and two novel species within Poseidogoniomonas: P. posteriocircus n. sp. and P. zopfkaesiformis n. sp. We report a range of observations on the cellular features of goniomonads, most importantly, the periplast plate arrangement patterns. We update the 18S rDNA phylogeny of goniomonads by adding sequences from novel isolates and environmental DNA studies indicating highly divergent lineages.