Lithomyxa M.Howe, 1932

Holotype species: Lithomyxa calcigena Howe

Original publication and holotype designation: Howe, M.A. (1932). The geologic importance of the lime secreting algae. United States Geological Survey professional paper 170: 57-64, 4 plates.

Fossil: This is a genus of fossil species, or a genus with a fossil type species, or a genus the type species of which was originally described as a fossil.

Description: Unicellular-colonial; colonies mucilaginous, micro- to macroscopic, covering the stony substrate as a gelatinous mat, with numerous calcareous precipitations to hard, intensely calcified. Cells arranged in the colony irregularly, sometimes gathered in small, 2, 4 or more-celled groups, with their own mucilaginous envelopes, which are more or less homogeneous, not layered, colorless, diffluent and confluent by their margins in a homogeneous mass; cells spherical, ovoid to shortly cylindrical, very small (below 1 _m wide), pale blue-green or greyish to colorless. Cells divide probably only in one plane in successive generations. Reproduction not described, probably by small groups of cells enveloped by mucilage. The single (type) species grows in clear creeks in North America, where it forms several cm thick, layered mats, which take substantial part in travertine production. In spite of this, it was not yet confirmed, and generic identity with Aphanothece is possible.

Information contributed by: J. Komárek. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2023-03-02 by M.D. Guiry.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Strunecký, O., Ivanova, A.P. & Mares, J. (2022 '2023'). An updated classification of cyanobacterial orders and families based on phylogenomic and polyphasic analysis (Review). Journal of Phycology 59(1): 12-51.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=44852

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 02 March 2023. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 25 April 2024