Protoraphis R. Simonsen, 1970

Holotype species: Protoraphis hustedtiana Simonsen

Original publication and holotype designation: Simonsen, R. (1970). Protoraphidaceae, eine neue Familie der Diatomeen. Beih. Nova Hedwigia 31: 377-394.

Description: Frustules in girdle view essentially rectangular, pervalvar axis straight or slightly bowed. Two large, equal chromatophores positioned near middle of cell in parietal positions. Valves isopolar or clavate, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate with rounded ends; length 18-130 _m, width 4-8 _m. Striae forming transverse and longitudinal rows. Each stria composed of a single row of poroid areolae. Axial area narrow, straight, and median for almost its entire length; at valve ends it abruptly twists and ends in a transapically directed groove. Grooves are true perforations of basal siliceous layer and are on opposite sides of axial area so that valve demonstrates a diagonal symmetry. Internally, margin of groove developed as a thickened siliceous rim with tooth-like, Y- shaped, or interlocking E- and U-shaped protrusions. Apical slit fields present on both polar mantles. Connecting bands of girdle few to numerous, of the open type with two parallel rows of pores. The two known species of the genus, P. hustedtiana var. hustedtiana and P. atlantica Gibson, are predominantly epizoic on calanoid and harpacticoid copepods in marine waters. Infestation of copepod host may be heavy and is either restricted to specific body parts or occurs indiscriminately on nearly all body segments and appendages. Protoraphis infestations transferred through mating behavior of copepods. Attachment is via an unbranched mucilaginous stalk secreted by the apical slit field of one valve of the frustule. The most recently described taxon, P. hustedtiana var. nana Takano, was based on specimens epizoic on an unidentified species of marine snails.

Information contributed by: M. J. Sullivan. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2010-04-23 by M.D. Guiry.

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

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 23 April 2010. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 18 May 2024