Luffisphaera
Luffisphaera Belcher & Swale, 1975 (ref. ID; 5772)
[ref. ID; 5772]
Incertae sedis taxa (ICZN).
Species of this little known genus are globular or elliptical cells covered with two types of hollow meshwork scales: spine scales and base scales. The cells range 1.5-3.5 um in diameter and the spine scales range 0.1-0.4 um in width and 1.8-2.9 um in length. The genus is also characterized by tubulocristate mitochondria, and a lack of flagella and pseudopodia (Belcher & Swale 1975). Belcher & Swale (1975) described four species distingushed by scale morphology.
Species of Luffisphaera are likely to be overlooked because of their small size. The genus has not been reported from fresh water since the description (Belcher & Swale 1975) and has been encountered a few times in seawater (Belcher & Swale 1975, Thomsen 1981, Vors 1992).
The scale-covered organisms encountered in the Belizean samples superficially resemble named species of Luffisphaera in both morphology and size. However, the scale morphology of these organisms is significantly different and they are described as three new species. (ref. ID; 5772)
- Luffisphaera bulbochaete Vors, 1993 (ref. ID; 5772 original paper)
- Luffisphaera longihastis Vors, 1993 (ref. ID; 5772 original paper)
- Luffisphaera turriformis Vors, 1993 (ref. ID; 5772 original paper)
Diagnosis
Spine scales consist of a cylindrical base supporting a dome-shaped part, which gradually tapers to a narrow tip. This tip is mounted by a thin spine. The lattice of the dome is composed of regular hexagonal peforations. (ref. ID; 5772)
Descriptions
Cell spherical, 3-4 um in diameter (dried cells) covers with a dense layer of scales. Most of these are base scales, while 20-40 are spine scales. Spine scales consist of a cylindrical base supporting a dome-shaped part, which gradually tapers to a narrow tip. This tip is mounted by a thin spine. The base comprises two differently patterned parts: a proximal lattice with an irregular pattern, and a distal lattice with a regular pattern of square perforations. The lattice of the dome is composed of regular hexagonal perforations. The tip of the dome and the spine consist of smooth, homogenous, non-lattice material. The spine scales are 1.5-2.2 um in total length. (ref. ID; 5772)
Etymology
The epithet refers to Bulbochaete, a green alga that carries bristles with blubous bases. (ref. ID; 5772)
Type specimens
Collected at Carrie Bow Cay pier, Belize. (ref. ID; 5772)
Diagnosis
Spine scales consist of a cylindrical base supporting a cone-shaped part, which gradually tapers to a narrow tip. This tip is mounted by a long, thin whip-like spine. The base and the cone are each composed of a proximal lattice with criss-cross pattern and a distal lattice with longitudinal rods only. (ref. ID; 5772)
Descriptions
Cell spherical or almost so, 3-4.2 um in diameter (dried cells), covered with a dense layer of scales. Most of these are base scales, but more than 20 or so are furnished with spines. Spine scales consist of a cylindrical base supporting a cone-shaped part, which gradually tapers to a narrow tip. This tip is mounted by a long, thin whip-like spine. The base and the cone are both composed of two differently patterned parts: a proximal lattice with criss-cross pattern and a distal lattice with longitudinal rods only. The top of the cone and the spine consist of smooth, homogenous, non-lattice material. The spine scales are 2.5-4 um in total length. (ref. ID; 5772)
Etymology
"Longihastis" is Latin for "long-speared". (ref. ID; 5772)
Type specimens
Collected at Carrie Bow Cay pier, Belize. (ref. ID; 5772)
Diagnosis
Spine scales consist of a cylindrical base supporting a cone-shaped part, which gradually tapers to a long narrow rod. This rod is mounted by a long, thin rod of about half its width. The lattice of the cone is composed of distinct longitudinal ribs, between which is a lattice of small square or hexagonal perforations. (ref. ID; 5772)
Descriptions
Cell spherical, 4-5 um in diameter, covered with a dense layer of scales. Most of these are base scales, but more than 50 or so are spine scales. Spine scales consist of a cylindrical base supporting a cone-shaped part, which gradually tapers to a long narrow rod. This rod is mounted by a long, thin rod of about half its width. The base comprises two differently patterned parts: a proximal lattice with irregular pattern, and a distal lattice with regular pattern of square perforations. The lattice of the cone is composed of distinct longitudinal ribs. Between these lies a lattice of one or more rows of square or hexagonal perforations. The distal rods consist of smooth or finely striated non-lattice material. The spines scales are 2.9-3.8 um in total length. (ref. ID; 5772)
Etymology
"Turriformis" is Latin for "tower-shaped". (ref. ID; 5772)
Type specimen
Collected at Carrie Bow Cay pier, Belize. (ref. ID; 5772)