Muelleria supra

Taxon ID: 56
Author: Spaulding & Esposito 2008   
Basionym: Muelleria supra
Synonym:

 

Images

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

 

Observations

Observations: Sarah Spaulding and Rhea Esposito
Length: 24-47 µm
Width: 7-9 µm
Striae: 13-18 in 10 µm at the center; 20-23 in 10 µm at the ends

Description:

Valves gibbous in central area and distinctly undulate with rounded valve ends. Valve length 24-47 µm, width 7-9 µm. Axial area linear.  Central area small and elliptical. Narrow, rib-like, longitudinal canals are present on either side of the raphe. Raphe linear, proximal raphe ends unilaterally hooked and may extend to the longitudinal striae; distal raphe ends broadly curved in the same direction as proximal ends. Striae are composed of areolae and number 13-18 in 10 µm at the center and 20-23 µm at the ends. Striae radiate in the middle portion of the valve; parallel or slightly convergent towards the apices.  Valve mantle is broad. SEM: Externally, striae are composed of dash-like areolae and extend from valve face onto the mantle. Distal raphe is curved. Areolae are often enlarged at distal raphe. Expanded areolae may be present near the proximal raphe terminus. Two valves within the frustule are deeply overlapping. Internally, longitudinal canals are raised. Raphe terminates in a helictoglossa.

Morphology: Naviculoid
Distribution: South Victorialand endemic

Autecology:

 

Notes:

The valve margin is distinctly different in shape between Muelleria supra and M. meridionalis Spaulding et Stoermer. Muelleria supra possesses a strongly triundulate valve margin and narrowed valve ends compared to M. meridionalis. Valves of Muelleria meridionalis var. supra have a more limited size range than M. meridionalis, but the two species overlap in size range (valve length 24-47 µm and 14-50 µm, respectively). Both of these taxa have radiate central striae, not found on M. peraustralis (West et West) Spaulding et Stoermer, which may indicate that they belong to the lineage that contains the Antarctic Peninsula and sub Antarctic taxa M. variolata Spaulding et Kociolek, M. algida Spaulding et Kociolek, M. varipunctata Spaulding et Kociolek and M. luculenta Spaulding et Kociolek (Spaulding et al. 1999).

 

McMurdo Dry Valleys Waterbodies with Muelleria supra

  • Adams Stream
  • Aiken Creek
  • Bowles Creek
  • Canada Glacier
  • Canada Stream
  • Commonwealth Glacier
  • Commonwealth Stream
  • Delta Stream
  • Green Creek
  • Huey Creek
  • Lost Seal Stream
  • Many Glaciers Pond
  • McKay Creek
  • Miers Stream
  • Taylor Glacier
  • Von Guerard Stream
  • Wharton Creek
  • Wormherder Creek

Original Type Description

Author: Spaulding & Esposito 2008
Length: 24-47 µm
Width: 7-9 µm
Striae: 13-18 in 10 µm at the center; 20-23 in 10 µm at the ends

Original Description:

Valvae in medio gibbae, distincte undulatae, polis anguste rotundatis, 24-47 µm longae, 7-9 µm latae. Area axalis linearis. Area centralis parva ovalis. Canalis longitudinalis habitu costae distincte angustatae per aream centralem extensus. Raphe linearis extremis centralibus unilateraliter uncatis, fissuris terminalibus ad latus idem late curvatis. Striae, 13-18 in 10 µm ad centrum, 20-23 in 10 µm ad polos. Striae fortiter radiatae in partibus mediis, parallelae vel parum convergentes sub apices. Limbus latus.

 

New combination

Author:

 

Citations

Index Nominum Algarum (INA):

  • 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).

Publications (by year):

  • Spaulding et al. 1999. Phycologia 38:314-341. [citation 126(118)]
  • Esposito et al. 2008. Botany 86: 1378-1392. [citation 137(133)]

See full publication info assembled for this website