Studies on marine flagellates: VI. Chrysochromulina pringsheimii sp.nov

Abstract

SUMMARYA new species of Chrysochromulina with an unusual type of cocoon-like scaly covering has been described with the light microscope. The morphology and arrangement of the scales has been elucidated with the electron microscope. Salient features are the presence of four different types of scale (large and small plates and large and small spines) in characteristic positions in or on the case, the small plates having the normal two layers characteristic of primitive scales in this group, the other three types being specialized modifications of this. Some developmental and evolutionary consequences of the morphological observations are discussed. A preliminary observation on the thickness of micro-fibrils composing the base-plates of spined scales is given.