Morphology and taxonomy of a new marine sand-dwelling Amphidiniopsis species (Dinophyceae, Peridiniales), A. aculeata sp. nov., from Cap Feret, France

• Published in: Marine biodiversity Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Hoppenrath, Mona, Koeman, Reinoud P. T., Leander, Brian S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2009; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Amphidiniopsis; Amphidiniopsis aculeata; Amphidiniopsis hexagona; Amphidiniopsis hirsutum; Amphidiniopsis swedmarkii; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Benthos; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Dinoflagellates; Dinophyceae; Electron microscopy; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Life Sciences; Light; Marine; Microorganisms; Morphology; New species; Original Paper; Ornamentation; Peridiniales; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Scanning electron microscopy; Sediment samplers; Sediment samples; Spines; Sutures; Taxonomy; France; Germany; ANE, France, Cap Feret; Benthic; Dinoflagellates; Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Morphology
• ISSN: 1867-1616; 1867-1624
• DOI: 10.1007/s12526-008-0001-4

A new dinoflagellate species within the benthic, heterotrophic, and thecate genus Amphidiniopsis was discovered in a fixed sediment sample taken at Cap Feret, France, in 1994. The cells within this sample were manually isolated and characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy. The thecal plate pattern and overall ornamentation demonstrate that this taxon is different from all other described species within the genus. Amphidiniopsis aculeata sp. nov. is dorsoventrally flattened, 37.5-40.3 μm long and 31.7-35.3 μm wide. The plate formula is APC 4′ 2a 7″ 3c 5s 5′″ 2″″. The thecal plates possess pores of two different size classes and are ornamented with conspicuous spines of different lengths.