Some epibiont suctorian ciliates from meiofaunal organisms of Maldivian archipelago with description of a new ciliate species Author Ansari, Kapuli Gani Mohamed Thameemul Author Guidi, Loretta Author Dovgal, Igor Author Balsamo, Maria Author Semprucci, Federica text Zootaxa 2017 4258 4 375 387 journal article 33128 10.11646/zootaxa.4258.4.5 a78a0732-20ac-49e9-b42c-4b602b150f2f 1175-5326 570116 655D2AA6-3D3F-40DE-BF07-40FC311D4507 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.