A new species of Chroomonas (Cryptophyceae) living inside the submarine ikaite columns in the Ikkafjord, Southwest Greenland, with remarks on its ultrastructure and ecology

Abstract

A species of Chroomonas that forms blue‐green patches in the ikaite columns in the Ikkafjord, SW‐Greenland near Iviituut, has been investigated by means of electron microscopy. It has a conspicuous eyespot, two distinct adjacent refractile bodies and a large pyrenoid. The flagellar branch of the gullet is provided with a ligula. A comparison with previously investigated species shows that this combination of characters is unique, and accordingly the Chroomonas is described as a new species, C. ikaitensis . Further details of its ultrastructure and of its ecology are discussed.