Amylax Meunier, 1910

Holotype species: Amylax lata Meunier

Original publication and holotype designation: Meunier, A. (1910). Microplancton des Mers de Barents et de Kara. Duc d'Orleans Campagne Arctique de 1907. pp. 1-355, pls I-XXXVII [Atlas]. Bruxelles: Imprimerie Scientifique Charles Bulens, Éditeur.

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Description: Dorsoventrally compressed unicellular biflagellated heterodynamic medium-sized ( 40-75 µm long) cells with a cell wall composed of cellulosic thecal plates. Plate formula Po, 3', 3a, 6", 6c, 7-8s, 6"', 1p, 1"". Plate 1' with ventral pore at its right side near the posterior end. Cells with distinct apical horn and 2 to several antapical spines. Nucleus elongated, banana-shaped. Chloroplasts present but at least in A. triacantha with phycobilin fluorescence, apparently not of the typical dinophycean type; so far no ultrastructural investigations available.

Information contributed by: M. Elbrächter. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2024-04-10 by E.A. Molinari Novoa.

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: Gómez, F. (2005). A list of free-living dinoflagellate species in the world's oceans. Acta Botanica Croatica 64: 129-212.

Comments: Habitat: Marine to brackish waters mainly of cold, temperate waters. Meunier (1910) described the genus with Amylax lata as type species. This is apparently a later taxonomical synonym of Gonyaulax triacantha Jörgensen 1899. Kofoid transferred it into the genus Heterodinium Kofoid but in a later paper transferred it back into Gonyaulax. This was followed by most authors until Balech (1977) proposed that the type species of Amylax is a synonym of Gonyaulax triacantha Jörgensen. Sournia (1984) formally introduced the new combination Amylax triacantha. The other species, Meunier (1910) assigned to Amylaxare now transferred to Gonyaulax or other related genera.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=44614

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
E.A. Molinari Novoa in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 10 April 2024. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 April 2024