Chrysococcus furcatus (Dolg.) comb. nov.: a new name for Chrysastrella furcata (Dolg.) Defl. based on the discovery of the vegetative stage

Abstract

Chrysophycean statospores identical to Chrysastrella furcata (Colg.) Defl. of the Chrysostomataceae have been found in Ontario [Canada] lakes. Vegetative cells with 2-5 simple or forked spines of the type characterizing the statospore were discovered in West Twin Lake, Ontario in the early spring of 1979 and apparently represent the vegetative stage of C. furcata. A single flagellum and a siliceous wall ornamented with circular depressions are other features of the vegetative cell. This taxon is reassigned to Chrysococcus (as C. furcatus (Dolg.) Nicholls). The relationship of C. furcatus to the xanthophyte Tetraedriella patiens Ramberg and the validity of Chrysastrella biseta (Schiller) Frenguelli and Chrysastrella aculeta (Dolg.) Defl. are discussed.