SCHIZOCLADUS-SUBLITTORALIS GEN-ET-SP-N (PROTOZOA, SARCODINA, SCHIZOCLADEA CLASSIS-N) FROM THE SCANDINAVIAN SUBLITTORAL

Schizocladus sublittoralis sp. n. is organized as a reticulate plasmodium embedded in a mucilaginous matrix. It lacks solid wall structures, but has a few internal, supportive rods. The body is branched, mainly dichotomously, bush-like, very soft, and 1 cm high. Branching is achieved by longitudinal splitting of the branches of the latest order. S. sublittoralis differs from the Xenophyophorea and the Foraminiferida primarily in its lack of solid wall structures. Its basic organization can be likened to that of a xenophyophore without test and organic lining. S. sublittoralis was found in the stomach contents of fish, caught at 55-75 m depth. Although the haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus (L.)) ate it fairly frequently, the other fish species in the area did not. The findings suggest that more careful sampling or handling methods must be developed if such fragile organisms as S. sublittoralis are to be found.