Mastogloia
Thwaites in W. Smith 1856 Category: Symmetrical biraphid
TYPE SPECIES: Mastogloia dansei (Thwaites ) Thwaites in W. Smith
Image Credit: Pat Kociolek, Loren Bahls
CLASS: Bacillariophyceae
ORDER: Naviculales
FAMILY: Mastogloiaceae
- Valves elliptical to lanceolate, with rounded to capitate ends
- Valvocopula with partecta
- Striae punctate
The valves of Mastogloia are elliptical to elliptic-lanceolate or lanceolate, with rounded to capitate ends. The valvocopula (first girdle band) each possess complex silica chambers, called partecta, that function to secrete strands of mucilage. The raphe is straight or undulate. The axial area is narrow, with a slightly expanded central area. Living cells have two plastids.
Mastogloia is primarily a marine genus. A few species are found in inland waters, typically in benthic habitats. The genus appears to be closely related to Aneumastus, based on a similar, but less complex, valvocopula.
Cite This Page:
Spaulding, S., and Edlund, M. (2009). Mastogloia. In Diatoms of the United States. Retrieved May 18, 2013, from http://westerndiatoms.colorado.edu/taxa/genus/Mastogloia
Contributor: Sarah Spaulding | Mark Edlund - January 2009
Reviewer: Sam Rushforth
Citations
Gaiser, E., La Hée J.M., Tobias, F.A.C. and Wachnicka, A.H. (2010). Mastogloia smithii var lacustris Grun.: a structural engineer of calcareous mats in karstic subtropical wetlands. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 160(1):99-112. 10.1635/053.160.0111
Hustedt, F. (1930). Die Kieselalgen Deutschlands, Osterreichs und der Schweiz mit Berucksichtigung der ubrigen Lander Europas sowie der angrenzenden Meersgebiete. In: Dr. L. Rabenhorst's Kryptogamen-Flora von Deutschland, Osterreich und der Schweiz. Leipzig, Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft Geest und Portig K.-G. Vol. 7, Part 3, pp. 557-816.
Paddock, T.B.B. and Kemp, K.D. (1990). An illustrated survey of the morphological features of the diatom genus Mastogloia. Diatom Research 5: 73-103.
Patrick, R.M. and Reimer, C.W. (1966). The Diatoms of the United States exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii, V. 1. Monographs of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 13.
Stoermer, E.F. (1967). Polymorphism in Mastogloia. Journal of Phycology 3: 73-77.
Stoermer, E.F., Pankratz, H.S. and Drum, R.W. (1964). The fine structure of Mastogloia grevillei Wm. Smith. Protoplasma 59: 1-13.