Lecane stichaea Harring, 1913
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonyms: Lecane methoria, Lecane saginata
Sampling location: Lauchsee Moor (Austria)
Phylogenetic tree: Lecane stichaea
Diagnosis:
- lorica elongate-ellipsoid
- between dorsal and ventral plate of lorica a furrow
- anterior ventral and dorsal margin of lorica straight truncated
- two lateral small spines at anterior margin of lorica
- the cuticle of the lorica strongly sculptured with ridges
- length 85–105 µm (of lorica)
- foot segments rectangular or pyramidal
- toes slender, 24–36 µm long
- base of toes slightly narrowed
- claws short (5–7µm)
- one eyespot
I have found only a few specimens of Lecane stichaea in samples from the Lauchsee Moor in Austria. Unfortunately, I was only able to examine the ventral side, which is heavily sculptured, while the dorsal side is smooth. The pattern of the ventral side is very characteristic (see also the drawings by Wulfert, above). Additionally, Lecane stichaea has two small lateral spines on the front edge of the lorica (s. fig. 2 b). These are even more clearly visible in a contracted specimen. Another feature is the slender toes, which taper somewhat basally (s. fig. 1 c).
More images and information on Lecane stichaea: Michael Plewka-Freshwater life-Lecane stichaea
Fig. 1 a-c: Lecane stichaea. L = 98 µm (of lorica). A slightly squashed specimen from ventral. Note the slight constriction at the base of the toes (c, arrows). Obj. 60 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Lecane stichaea. L = 98 µm (of lorica). The stronger squashed specimen as shown in fig. 1 a-c). The ventral side is strongly sculptured with a characteric pattern. Note the two lateral spines (LS) at the anterior margin of the lorica. Obj. 60 X.
Fig. 3 a-b: Lecane stichaea. To focal planes of the trophi in a strongly squashed specimen. Obj. 100 X.