Spirotaenia endospira W. Archer 1864: 15

Ramos, Geraldo José Peixoto, Bicudo, Carlos Eduardo De Mattos & Moura, Carlos Wallace Do Nascimento, 2017, Taxonomic notes on Spirotaenia (Mesotaeniaceae, Zygnematophyceae) from a Brazilian phytotelm habitat: new species and new records, Phytotaxa 309 (3), pp. 265-270 : 267-268

Spirotaenia endospira W. Archer 1864: 15 ( Figs. 11–18 ).

Basionym: Palmogloea endospira Brébisson in Kützing 1847: 19. pl. 24: 6 (original diagnosis).

Cells 2.3–4 times longer than broad, straight or very slightly curved, oblong-cylindrical with broadly rounded poles, chloroplast a parietal ribbon making 1–2.5 turns. Conjugation not observed. Cell dimensions: length 7–18 μm, breadth 3–4.5 μm.

Specimens examined:— BRAZIL. Bahia: Santa Teresinha, Serra da Jiboia. 18-VII-2015. G.J.P. Ramos, C.W.N. Moura & D.D.S. Reis s.n (HUEFS 155347, HUEFS 155348).

Habitat:— bromeliad tanks ( Alcantarea nahoumii ); water temperature 22–27º C. pH 5.2–6.1. electric conductivity 0.09–0.12 mS. cm-1. total dissolved solids 0.05–0.06 ppt. dissolved oxygen 6.9–9.4.mg L- 1.

Comments:— Fuciková et al. (2008) found specimens of Spirotaenia endospira inhabiting wet walls in Cataloochee Valley, North Carolina ( USA) in acidic conditions (pH 4.7). However, some morphological features described by those authors, such as fusiform cells gradually tapering towards the apices, as well as their illustration (fig. 23, p. 55) rather resemble Spirotaenia parvula W. Archer (1862: 254) .

So far, records of Spirotaenia endospira were only known from Europe, North America, and Asia ( Guiry & Guiry 2017). Prescott et al. (1972) mention the occurrence of this species in South America, but do not provide detailed information where the species was reported. Thus, we consider the present record as the first confirmed occurrence of S. endospira for South America and the Southern Hemisphere. In the material examined asexual reproduction by transverse cell division was commonly observed ( Fig. 18 ).

Figures

FIGURES 3–25. Spirotenia species occurring in Brazil. 3–10. Spirotaenia closteridia. 11–18. Spirotaenia endospira 19–24. Spirotaenia filiformis sp. nov. 25. Spirotaenia condensata. Scale Bars: 10 μm.