Gomphonema tumens Kociolek and Stoermer 1991

Length:45 µm

Width:6.8 µm

Striae:12 in 10 µm

Collection 1867

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More information

Image of the holotype.

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Authority information

Kociolek, J. P. and E. F. Stoermer 1991. Can J. Bot. 69:1559.

Other images

This is a DIF image of the holotype. #GLRD 1867

Kociolek and Stoermer 1991 (Kociolek and Stoermer 1991) consider Gomphonema vibrio (Ehrenb.) Cleve to be a distinct taxon. From this position they construct an argument fo Gomphonema tumens Kociolek and Stoermer to be distinct and that Gomphonema vibrio is not the initial vlave of G. tumens as could be suggested. In the tumid stage, G. vibrio is larger than G. tumens. As G. vibrio decreases in size the outline becomes more straight sided, tapering from the center to the headpole and footpole. Gomphonema tumens retains some of the tumid center even in the smaller valves. Kociolek and Stoermer 1991(Kociolek and Stoermer 1991) provide an excellent discussion of the history of G. vibrio and various authors interpretations of the taxon.

Ecology

This taxon grows in deep water, (10 meters) attached to bedrock. The collection from which G. tumens was described was collected by divers in Lake Superior (Superior Shoal). (Kociolek and Stoermer 1991).

Size ranges and morphology

Length: 35 to 77 µm (Kociolek and Stoermer 1991).

Width: 6 to 10 µm (Kociolek and Stoermer 1991).

Striae are punctate, radiate, 10 to 12 in 10 µm at the center and 13 to 15 µm at the ploes (Kociolek and Stoermer 1991).

Valves are linear-clavate with a tumid center. The headpole is narrow and the footpole is rounded. Distinctly punctate striae are radiate and strongly radiate at the footpole. The axial area is narrow with a weakly undulate, laterally expanded raphe. The central area is laterally expanded opposite the stigma. Deflected internal proximal raphe ends are conspicuous. (Kociolek and Stoermer 1990).