Nebela gimlii Singer and Lara, 2015

Diagnosis: Shell wide pyriform or drop-shaped, laterally compressed, with a protruding narrow neck. Two lateral pores ca. ¼ from the distance from the aperture to the fundus of the test. A variable number of small pores can be seen on SEM images in apparently random positions from near the aperture to the fundus of the test. The test is colorless or slightly brownish, composed of small particles, likely obtained from preys, e.g. euglyphid testate amoebae, which are covered by a thin layer of organic cement. The aperture is oval in frontal view, slightly curved in lateral view, surrounded by a thin organic collar characteristic of family Hyalospheniidae.

Dimensions: According to Singer and Lara (2015): Shell length 68—78 μm (mean 73 μm); width 50—62 μm (mean 54 μm); aperture 17—21 μm (mean 19 μm, n = 14).

Habitat: Nebela gimlii was found exclusively in the relatively dry Sphagnum mosses in the forested part of a peat bog (influenced by lateral drainage) and the drained peatland margin a few meters from the base of old peat extraction walls. These habitats are characterized by low pH, moderate moisture and low nutrient content.

Distribution. Switzerland.

Remarks: Nebela gimlii can be confused with Nebela guttata, but clearly differs in the wider shape of the shell and the smaller dimensions of the test. Both species are closely related.