Description of a New Species with a Remarkable Cyst Structure in the Genus Naegleria: Naegleria angularis sp. n

A vahlkampfiid amoeba was isolated from a water sample collected in Peru. Ribosomal DNA sequence analysis showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Naegleria, that it represents a novel species and that its closest relative is N. pussardi. Although there is very little sequence difference between the new isolate and N. pussardi, and both species grow at 40°C, their cyst morphology is very different. The cysts of the new species are angular to star-like in appearance and so do not resemble the cysts of any described Naegleria species. The strain did not form flagellates in distilled water but did transform in Prescott’s and James’s solution. The name N. angularis sp. n. is proposed for this isolate with angular cysts.