Platessa bahlsii
Potapova 2012 Category: Monoraphid
BASIONYM: Platessa bahlsii Potapova 2012
LM scalebar = 10 µm = 80 pixels.
Observations
Contributor: Marina Potapova - January 2012
Length Range: 3.6– 11.0 µm
Width Range: 2.9–4.2 µm
Striae in 10 µm: 12–15
Description
Valves are elliptic. Raphe valve has a narrow linear axial area and a small central area. Raphe is filiform, straight, with slightly expanded distal and proximal ends. Rapheless valve has a linear–lanceolate axial area. Striae are multiseriate, radiate. There are four rows of areolae per stria on the raphe valve, and three rows per stria on the rapheless valve.
Original Description
Basionym: Platessa bahlsii
Author: Potapova 2012
Length Range: 3.6-11.0 µm
Width Range: 2.9-4.2 µm
Striae in 10 µm: 12-15
Original Description
Original Images
Cite This Page:
Potapova, M. (2012). Platessa bahlsii. In Diatoms of the United States. Retrieved May 23, 2013, from http://westerndiatoms.colorado.edu/taxa/species/platessa_bahlsii
Species: Platessa bahlsii
Contributor: Marina Potapova
Reviewer: Loren Bahls
Image Credit: Loren Bahls
- Valves elliptic
- Central area on raphe valve very small
- Striae multiseriate
- Terminal raphe fissures absent
Valves are elliptic. Raphe valve has a narrow linear axial area and a small central area. Raphe is filiform, straight, with slightly expanded distal and proximal ends. Rapheless valve has a linear–lanceolate axial area. Striae are multiseriate, radiate.
Compare
Platessa bahlsii differs from P. conspicua by very small central area on raphe valve, smaller average size, and by having three or four rows of areolae in striae. P. conspicua has rectangular central area reaching valve margins and biseriate striae. P. bahlsii can also be easily confused in LM with small species of Planothidium, which, in contrast to Platessa have terminal raphe fissures.
Platessa conspicua
Citations
Potapova, M. (2012). New species and combinations in monoraphid diatoms (Family Achnanthidiaceae) from North America. Diatom Research 27(1): 29-42. doi:10.1080/0269249X.2011.644636
Links & ID's
Index Nominum Algarum (INA)
California Academy of Sciences (CAS)
North American Diatom Ecological Database (NADED)
NADED ID:
Autecology Discussion
Platessa bahlsii appears to be a common species in nutrient-rich streams of the eastern US.