Cachonina A.R.Loeblich, 1968

Holotype species: Cachonina niei A.R.Loeblich

Currently accepted name for the type species: Heterocapsa niei (A.R.Loeblich) L.C.Morrill & A.R.Loeblich

Original publication and holotype designation: Loeblich, A.R. (1968). A new marine dinoflagellate genus, Cachonina, in axenic culture from the Salton Sea, Califoria with remarks on the genus Peridinium. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 81: 91-96, 7 figures.

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Description: Small to medium-sized (10-30 µm) biflagellate thecate, ovoid dinoflagellate. Nearly circular cingulum located in the middle of the cell, sulcus restricted to the hypocone. Thecal plate pattern somewhat variable, the plate formula after Balech (1977) is Po, X, 5', 3a, 8", 6c, 5s, 5'", 2"". Body scales are present in a single layer external to the thecal plates. Cells with chloroplasts, forming a reticulated net near the cell surface. Several pyrenoids, mainly in the epicone and cingular region. Spherical nucleus is located in the hypocone. Flagellar apparatus is composed of several organelles. Cell division in the flagellate stage, the theca of the mother cell being shared by both daughter cells. Cysts formed inside the mother cells, having a thick hyaline wall composed of several layers. Sexual reproduction not observed. Marine and in inland saline waters, plankton, tolerating a wide range of salinity and temperature. Cells may form dense blooms in coastal waters. Swimming speed may be about 100 _m S^-1; diurnal vertical migration is known. The lipid fraction contains cholesterol, 24- methylcholesterol, 4,24-dimethycholestanol, dinosterol and dihydrodinosterol. Chromosome numbers may vary in different species, so that polyploidy may be a speciation mechanism (Loeblich and others (1981) as Heterocapsa). Some authors regard Cachonina as conspecific with Heterocapsa Stein.

Information kindly contributed by M. Elbrächter but may now be outdated.

Taxonomic status: This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Heterocapsa.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Dodge, J.D. (1982). Marine dinoflagellates of the British Isles. pp. 1-303, 35 figs, pls I-VIII. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

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Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
E.A. Molinari Novoa in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 11 November 2021. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 25 April 2024