Studies on British chytrids XXVIII. Rhizophydium nobile sp. nov., parasitic on the resting spore of Ceratium hirundinella O.F.Müll. from the plankton

The life history of a new species of the Chytridiales Rhizophydium nobile is described. It occurs in the autumn on resting spores of the alga Ceratium hirundinella O.F.M. in Blelham Tarn, Windermere and Esthwaite Water, lakes in the English Lake District. The sporangium develops from the zoospore and possesses a branched rhizoidal system. The zoospores are fully formed in the sporangium. On dehiscence part of the sporangium content flows out surrounded by a vesicle which eventually bursts and liberates the zoospores. Only a few resting spores were seen associated with the sporangial stage. They were small spherical thick-walled bodies containing several globules. Further observations need to be made upon this stage.