Bibliographic Detail
Crawford, R.M. & Gardner, C., 1997
Reference:
Crawford, R.M. & Gardner, C. (1997). The transfer of Asterionellopsis kariana to the new genus Asteroplanus (Bacillariophyceae), with reference to the fine structure. Nova Hedwigia 65: 47-57.
Abstract:
The marine planktonic diatom Asterionellopsis kariana has been studied with light and electron microscopy from wild samples collected on the South-West coast of Britain and from cultures. Observations confirm earlier publications, notably that of Korner (1970) and lead to the proposal of Asteroplanus as a new genus. Each valve of Asteroplanus karianus comb. nov. has punctate ocelli at both basal and distal poles and a single rimoportula with a tube projecting from the inner surface of the distal pole. In these respects the species resembles Asterionellopsis socialis but the feature that appears to be unique is the double scutal flap of silica that partly encloses a chamber on the outer surface of the valve. The possible function of this structure and the systematic position of the new genus are both discussed.
