Caponea A.C.Podzorski, 1984

Holotype species: Caponea caribbea A.C.Podzorski

Original publication and holotype designation: Podzorski, A.C. (1984). Caponea caribbea Podzorski, a structurally unique new diatom from Jamaica. Nova Hedwigia 40: 1-8.

Description: Frustules oblong, naviculoid. Intercallary bands absent. Valves weakly silicified, oval with broadly rounded apices. Valve surface depressed into 4 cavities running on either side of the raphe and from the valve apex to the central area. A group of 4-7 spines lie midway along each cavity on the outer edge, spines arch towards the raphe from within the cavity and terminate in a short vertical segment rising above the valvar plane. Central area thickened, "H"-shaped, a group of 3 spines usually present at the 4 corners; these spines arch up over the cavity, terminating just above the valvar plane. Valve margin extended into 4-5 narrow transapical bars opposite the central area; a punctum is found at the base of each bar. Striae radiate; cribra with poroids mostly arranged around the margin. Raphe simple, proximal ends straight. Axial area linear, central nodule distinct, narrow. A narrow annular silica membrane lies in the plane of the valve-face and transverses the cavities, running parallel to and adjacent to the valve margin; a transapical extension of the membrane contacts the grouped spines at the base of the vertical segments. A silica flap in the form of a delicate, secondary siliceous structure and closely related to the raphe system (conopeum) covers part of the primary valve surface. Canopeum supported on the 8 groups of spines; oval in outline, with broadly tapered apices. Caponea has been recorded from algal mats on the surfaces of swamps in Jamaica. Caponea differs from Navicula by the presence of the 4 surface depressions, external spines, canopeum and the membrane between the conopeum and valve.

Information contributed by: M.C. Amspoker. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2023-02-25 by Salvador Valenzuela Miranda.

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

Comments: Round, Crawford & Mann (1990: 128) record this family as being a member of the Suborder Sellaphorineae.

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=46662

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
Salvador Valenzuela Miranda in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 25 February 2023. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 23 April 2024