Ralfsiella P.A. Sims, D. M. Williams & Ashworth, 2018

Sims, Pat A., Williams, David M. & Ashworth, Matt, 2018, Examination of type specimens for the genera Odontella and Zygoceros (Bacillariophyceae) with evidence for the new family Odontellaceae and a description of three new genera, Phytotaxa 382 (1), pp. 1-56 : 42

Ralfsiella P.A. Sims, D. M. Williams & Ashworth , gen. nov.

Valve outline circular, lying opposite each other a barely raised narrow elevation with a circular ocellus at summit. Valve face almost flat with a narrow slightly convex valve mantle bordering an expanded hyaline valve margin. Valve face, mantle and elevations covered in an irregular network of false pseudoloculi. Lying within each “loculus” a single, small poroid areola occluded by a velum. These appear to be identical throughout the valve, no specialised pores seen. In a submarginal position, equidistant between the elevations lies the external opening of a rimoportula. The opening is through a long slender tube, slightly wider at base than summit, while interior opening a slit across a papillus. Girdle bands with vertical rows of poroid areolae, valvocopula and remaining copulae open.

Type: Ralfsiella smithii (Ralfs in Pritchard) P.A. Sims & D. M. Williams & Ashworth