Endictya Ehrenberg, 1845

Holotype species: Endictya oceanica Ehrenberg

Original publication and holotype designation: Ehrenberg, C.G. (1844). Mittheilung über 2 neue Lager von Gebirgsmassen aus Infusorien als Meeres-Absatz in Nord-Amerika und eine Vergleichung derselben mit den organischen Kreide-Gebilden in Europa und Afrik. Bericht über die zur Bekanntmachung Geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie Der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1844: 57-97.

Description: Cells barrel-shaped, joined into short chains. Plastids not investigated. A modern and fossil genus so far only observed by us as separate valves. Reported as a benthic marine genus. Valves broadly cylindrical with sharply defined mantle and valve face. In well-preserved specimens there is a narrow flange at the valve rim in which there is a line of pores. Towards the centre of the valve face are a number of projections. Mantle width one-third to one-half as deep as the valve face. The areolae are variable in size and lie in a heavily silicified framework. They are loculate, with a foramen on the outside and fine pores on the inside. These pores are arranged in rows radiating from the valve centre, being independent of the pattern of the foramina on the outside; in this Endictyua resembles Melosira and Stephanopyxis. Consequently they may be expected to be poroids with rotae in the living cell. Between mantle and valve face on the inner surface are the internal apertures of rimoportulae. These correspond in position to the pores in the flange on the outer surface and run between areolae in fractured specimens. Copulae have not been observed here, but Hustedt (1930) recorded many 'rings' forming the cingulum.

The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2023-01-18 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.

Comments: This is a small genus with only 10 species recognised by VanLandingham (1969). Hustedt (1927-66) reports colony formation in modern material but there do not appear to be true spines and the absence of any other linking mechanism on the valve margin suggests that these cells are solitary. As Hustedt commented, there is considerable confusion in the literature and the taxon has been variously placed in Orthosira, Melosira, Dictyopxis, Coscinodiscus, Stephanopyxis and Craspedodiscus! The genus is clearly in need of re-assessment.

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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=44395

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 18 January 2023. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 28 March 2024

 
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