Muelleria aequistriata

Taxon ID: 95
Author: Van de Vijver & Spaulding 2009   
Basionym: Muelleria aequistriata
Synonym:

 

Images

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LM image scalebar = 10 µm = 38 pixels      SEM image scalebar = 1 µm  

 

Observations

Observations: Bart Van de Vijver
Length: 25-48.5 µm
Width: 5.8-9.0 µm
Striae: 18-20 in 10 µm

Description:

Valves linear-lanceolate with parallel margins and non-protracted, broadly rounded valve ends. Valve length 25-48.5 µm, valve width 5.8-9.0 µm. Axial area rather broad, linear, slightly widening near valve middle forming nearly rounded to elliptical central area with a rectelevatum. Raphe filiform, straight to very weakly undulating, with clearly unilaterally bent, rather short central raphe endings, hardly extending into first row of areolae. Distal raphe endings deflected to same side as proximal endings, clearly bifurcate. Striae moderately radiate throughout the entire valve, with no difference in striation pattern between central and distal striae, 18-20 in 10 µm throughout entire valve. Striae composed of small, rounded, never elongated areolae, similar in size and shape, regularly spaced in both apical and transapical axes. Canal puncta absent. Internally, areolae occluded by vela. Without vela, areolae appear rather large, uniform and round. Centrally, longitudinal canals broad but less prominently present near central area, where appear flattened. Longitudinal canals continue throughout entire valve length terminating at helictoglossae. Internally, perforations of longitudinal canal lacking.

Morphology: Naviculoid
Distribution:

Autecology:

 

Notes:

Muelleria aequistriata belongs to the very small group of Muelleria species that show almost no difference in stria density between the central and distal striae. Muelleria peraustralis (West et West) Spaulding et Stoermer, which is only present on the Antarctic Continent (Kellogg & Kellogg 2002), shows only slightly more spaced striae near the central area but differs in valve outline by a distinctly gibbous center and slightly capitate ends, features never observed in M. aequistriata. Two other species, M. portomontana and M. patagonica are only known from southern South America (Spaulding et al. 1999). Both South American species are greater in length with valve widths up to 17 µm. In contrast, M. aequistriata has a maximum valve width of 9 µm, giving the latter a linear, more slender, elongate outline as compared to the more elliptic-lanceolate M. portomontana and M. patagonica. Muelleria kristinae Van de Vijver is much smaller with more cuneately rounded apices, an inconspicuous central area and a different raphe structure with very short, sometimes expanded central raphe endings. All other Muelleria species show a clear difference in striation pattern and can therefore easily be separated from M. aequistriata.

 

 

Other sites with Muelleria aequistriata

  • Bellingshausen Station (moist habitats), King George Island
  • Livingston Island (soil), Livingston Island

Original Type Description

Author: Van de Vijver & Spaulding 2009
Length: 25-48.5 µm
Width: 5.8-9.0 µm
Striae: 18-20 in 10 µm

Original Description:

Valvae lineares-lanceolatae marginibus parallellis apicibusque late rotundatis, non-protractis. Longitudo 25-48.5 µm, latitudo 5.8-9.0 µm. Area axialis fere lata, linearis, dilatans leviter in area centralem rotundato ad ellipticam. Rectelevatum adest. Raphe filiformis, recta ad leviter undulatam terminationibus centralibus curtis, claro unilateraliter flexis, vix extensis in seriem primam areolarum. Terminationes distales deflexae claroque bifurcatae. Striae omnino moderate radiatae aquidistantesque, 18-20 in 10 µm. Areolae parvae, rotundae, numquam elongatae, dispositae regulariter in plana apicale transapicaleque. Puncta canales absunt.

 

New combination

Author:

 

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).

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