The desert dampwood termite Paraneotermes simplicicornis harbors several species of obligately symbiotic protists that support its nutrition by fermenting lignocellulose. Among them are three morphotypes with the dexiotropic spiraling flagellar bands characteristic of Spirotrichonymphea (Parabasalia). The largest morphotype, characterized by an elongated cell apex with axial columella and internally positioned spiraling flagellar bands, was previously described as Spirotrichonympha polygyra. A smaller morphotype, with similarly internalized flagellar bands but a more rounded posterior without a protruding axostyle, was previously reported but not named. The smallest morphotype has surface flagellar bands and can attach to other protist cells by its apex. In this study, we combine light microscopy of live specimens and 18S rRNA gene sequencing of individually isolated cells to better understand the diversity of symbionts in P. simplicicornis. We found that S. polygyra branches distantly from true Spirotrichonympha, which are associated with Reticulitermes termites. Thus, we propose the new genus Cuppa to accommodate C. polygyra n. comb. (type species) and the similar but smaller morphotype Cuppa taenia n. sp. The undescribed smallest morphotype can be excluded from all previously described Spirotrichonymphea genera by molecular and behavioral evidence, so we propose Fraterculus simplicicornis n. gen., n. sp., to accommodate this organism.

沙漠湿木白蚁Paraneotermes simplicicornis包含几种专性共生的原生生物，可通过发酵木质纤维素来支持其营养。其中有三种形态型，具有螺旋螺旋藻（Parabasalia）特征的右旋螺旋鞭毛带。最大的形态型以前被描述为Spirotrichonympha polygyra，其最大特征是具有带有轴向小柱和内部螺旋状鞭毛带的细长细胞顶点。。先前报道过一种较小的形态，具有类似的内部鞭毛带，但后部更圆而没有突出的轴突，但没有命名。最小的形态型具有表面鞭毛带，并可以通过其顶点附着于其他原生质细胞。在这项研究中，我们结合了活体标本的光学显微镜和单个分离的细胞的18S rRNA基因测序，以更好地了解辛氏单胞菌中共生体的多样性。我们发现S. polygyra分支遥远与真实Spirotrichonympha，这与相关的散白蚁。因此，我们提出了新的Cuppa属来容纳C. polygyra。梳。（类型物种）和类似但较小的杯形杯状en虫n。sp。未描述的最小形态型可以通过分子和行为学证据从所有先前描述的螺旋旋蛾属中排除，因此我们提出了Fraterculus simplicicornis n。gen。，n。sp。，以适应这种生物。