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Observations
| Observations: | Bart Van de Vijver |
|---|---|
| Length: | 38–46 µm |
| Width: | 14–17 µm |
| Striae: | 14–15 in 10 µm |
Description:
Valves broadly elliptic with almost parallel valve margins and distinctly capitate, broadly rounded ends. Valve margin opposite the stigma slightly convex; opposite margin almost entirely straight. Constriction between the central part of the valve and the apices very distinct and narrower than the valve ends. Valve length 38–46 mm, valve width 14–17 mm. Axial area fairly wide, leaving a distinct linear hyaline zone showing almost no change in width throughout its entire course. Central area forming an almost rectangular to weakly wedge-shaped stauros bordered by several areolae. Several irregularly scattered areolae present in the central area. One, usually rounded but sometimes slightly transapically elongated stigma present, taking an isolated position at the end of an irregular row of areolae. Stigma closer to the valve center than to the valve face margin. Raphe branches straight to very weakly curved. Central raphe endings distinctly hooked in the opposite direction of the stigma-bearing side of the valve. Central endings rather inconspicuous to weakly expanded. Terminal fissures short and slightly curved. Pore-like endings absent. Transapical striae weakly radiate near the valve centre to strongly radiate towards the poles, 14–15 in 10 mm. Striae consisting of two to five rounded areolae terminating in one transapically elongated areola near the valve margin. No size differences observed between the areolae bordering the axial area and the other, rounded, areolae in each stria. Internally, poroids of the valve face usually occluded by hymenes, confluent with the striae, and forming a continuous strip across each stria. Internal stigma opening consisting of a rounded, lipped slit. Distinct central nodule present. Terminal raphe endings forming a very small helictoglossa.
| Morphology: | Naviculoid |
|---|---|
| Distribution: |
Autecology:
Notes:
Based on its outline and dimensions, this is a very conspicuous species that can hardly be confused with any other known *Luticola* species. The presence of the distinct capitate valve ends is shared with several other species such as *Luticola muticopsis, L. gaussii* and *L. heufleriana* (Grunow) Mann but these can all be separated on the basis of the following features: *L. muticopsis s.s.* is much smaller with rostrate not capitate apices. *Luticola gaussii* lacks the parallel valve margins and has more convex margins (contrary to *L. gigamuticopsis* which is more rectangularly elongated) and *L. heufleriana* has a typical rhombic valve outline.
Other sites with Luticola gigamuticopsis
- Crater Lake (soil), Deception Island
Original Type Description
| Author: | Van de Vijver 2008 |
|---|---|
| Length: | 38–46 µm |
| Width: | 14–17 µm |
| Striae: | 14–15 in 10 µm |
Original Description:
Valvae late ellipticae marginibus paene parallellibus apicibusque distincte capitatis. Margo lateris ferentis stigmam recta sed margo opposita late convexa. Longitudo 38–46 mm, latitudo 14–17 mm. Area axialis satis lata, linearis formans zonam hyalinam distinctam prope raphem. Area centralis lata, formans staurum rectangularem. Stigma solitara punctularum prope nodulum centralem. Rami raphis recti vel paulum curvati extremis centralibus distincte uncinatis ad latus stigmae. Fissurae terminales raphis curtae, leviter curvatae. Striae transapicales leviter radiatae in media parte valvae sed forte radiatae ad polos, 14–15 in 10 mm. Areolae rotundae 2–5 per striam. Luticola muticopsis differt dimensionibus distincte minoribus valvarum.
New combination
| Author: |
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Citations
Index Nominum Algarum (INA):
- Original
- New Combination
- If an INA link is available, it will be shown above
- The INA is a bibliographic reference "card file" for algal taxonomy, containing nearly 200,000 names of algae (in the broad sense).
