Partectum

The genus Mastogloia possesses a distinct valvocopula (first girdle band). The valvocopula is marked by one to several internal chambers, called partecta, and tubes that open from the partecta to the outside of the diatom valve. The partecta function to secrete strands of mucilage from the cell.

Alternative Term

chamber

A partectum is also described as being a chamber.

locule

An alternate term for partectum is locule, used in some of the older literature (Stoermer et al., 1964).

Citations

Round, F.E., Crawford, R.M. and Mann, D.G. (1990). The Diatoms. Biology and Morphology of the Genera. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 747 pp.

Stoermer, E.F., Pankratz, H.S. and Drum, R.W. (1964). The fine structure of Mastogloia grevillei Wm. Smith. Protoplasma 59: 1-13.