Mediolabrus
Genus of single-celled algae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mediolabrus is a genus of centric diatoms within the family Thalassiosiraceae. Known Mediolabrus species live planktonically in brackish and fresh water.[1] This genus, together with the related Minidiscus, includes some of the smallest diatom species with diameters as small as 1.9 μm (in M. comicus).[2]
| Mediolabrus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Division: | Ochrophyta |
| Clade: | Bacillariophyta |
| Class: | Thalassiosirophyceae |
| Order: | Thalassiosirales |
| Family: | Thalassiosiraceae |
| Genus: | Mediolabrus Yang Li |
| Type species | |
| Mediolabrus comicus (H.Takano) Yang Li | |
| Species | |
| |
Taxonomy
Genus Mediolabrus was erected in 2020 based on molecular phylogenetics, by transferring three species from the genus Minidiscus.[1]
Morphology and ultrastructure
The lenticular or spherical cells, smaller than 10 μm, live solitarily or in flocks. The valves (ends of the siliceous shell[3]) are domed, with sloping mantle (side of the valve[4]). The areolae (regularly repeated pores[5]) are internally covered by individual, radially continuous cribra (perforated plates[6]) and lack typical foramens (large openings[7]) externally. At the edge of the valve face or close to the mantle are several fultoportulae (tube-like pores[8]). There is only one rimoportula (lip-like pore[9]) and no fultoportulae in the center or sub-center of the valve. Only a single rimoportula near the valve center is a diagnostic feature of this genus and the source of its name.[1]