Taxonomy of Pyramimonas obovata and other observations on the subgenus Vestigifera of Pyramimonas (Prasinophyceae, Chlorophyta) |
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Authors: | Stuart D Sym Richard N Pienaar |
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Institution: | Botany Department. University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3. Wits, 2050, South Africa |
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Abstract: | A vestigiferan species commonly referred to as Pyramimonas obovata N. Carter has been redescribed as P. melkonianii sp, nov. Characters of this species and a further six (P. disomata Butcher ex McFadden, Hill et Wetherbee, P. mantoniae Moestrup et Hill, P. mitra Moestrup et Hill. P. moestrupii McFadden, P. aff. nephroidea McFadden, P. orientalis Butcher ex McFadden, Hill et Wetherbee) isolated from South African waters are used to define further the subgenus Vestigifera McFadden. This includes a unique chloroplast shape and basal hyaline region with stellate or cruciform vacuoles, a transitional plate-like structure in the flagellum, and a different microtubular root system. The proximal set of basal body connectives were found to be remarkably symmetrical and like those of the subgenus Trichocystis McFadden, and a duct fibre was found associated with the Id root in all currently investigated species. The validity of the larger body (box and crown) scales as taxonomic markers at a fine level is also questioned. |
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Keywords: | chloroplast flagellar apparatus proximal basal body connectives Pyramimonas scale morphology stellate/cruciform vacuoles taxonomy transitional plate Vestigifera |
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