Spiniferomonas (Chrysophyceae) in Ontario lakes including a revision and descriptions of two new species

Abstract

The little known chrysophycean genus Spiniferomonas Takahashi is an important component of the phytoplankton of many Ontario lakes. Ten species were found, only 3 of which (S. trioralis Tak., S. bourrellii Tak. and S. andersonii Green) are known previously from North America. Two species (S. andersonii, S. conica Tak.) are synonymous with the type species, S. bourrellii. Two new species are described (S. takahashii and S. serrata ) and a revised key to all known species is presented. S. trioralis is the most abundant and widely distributed species in Ontario and is clearly eurytopic in its requirements for growth. It is common in a variety of lakes having Secchi disc visibilities of 2-10 m and pH and alkalinity ranges of 5.8-8.5 and 5-150 mg CaCO3/L, respectively. [Other species included S. abei Tak., S. bilacunosa Tak. and S. cornutus Balonov.].