Lepocinclis texta var. richardiana
Conrad, 1935
Most likely ID: n.a.
Synonym: n.a.
Sampling location: Simmelried
Phylogenetic tree: Lepocinclis texta var. richardiana
Diagnosis:
- cell ovate with caudal process
- length about 34–62 µm, width 22–38 µm
- apical pole asymmetric, subapical pharynx
- eyespot large
- flagellum 1–3 times body length
- spirally striated pellicle, counterclockwise
- numerous discoidal or angular chloroplasts, pyrenoids absent
- paramylon grains discoid or elliptic
So far I have only found Lepocinclis texta var. richardiana in the Simmelried. The variety differs from the parent form Lepocinclis texta by the caudal spine, which is about 4–6 µm long.
A characteristic feature of Lepocinclis texta var. richardiana, apart from the caudal spine, is the subapical pharynx from which the flagellum emerges (s. fig. 1 a). The paramylon grains are never ring-shaped in this species and the spiral striation of the pellicle always runs counterclockwise (s. fig. 2 b).
Huber-Pestalozzi (1955) points out that the name given to this variety by Conrad refers to Florence Rich (not Richard). Therefore, the correct name should be “Lepocinclis texta var. richiana”, which Conrad actually gave originally, but which did not catch on.
Fig. 1 a-c: Lepocinclis texta var. richardiana. L = 43 µm. Slightly different focal planes of a freely swimming specimen. Note the subapical pharynx (PH). ES = exespot, F = flagellum, PG = paramylon grains. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Lepocinclis texta var. richardiana. L = 43 µm. Focal plane on the chloroplasts (Chl, a) and the striation of the pellicle (SP, b). The spirally striation runs counterclockwise to the posterior end. Obj. 100 X.