ULTRASTRUCTURE OF <i>PRYMNESIUM NEMAMETHECUM</i> SP. NOV. (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)¹

Abstract

ABSTRACT Based on material collected from Cape Town, a new sand‐dwelling, marine species of Prymnesium is described. Using light and electron microscopy, Prymnesium nemamethecum sp. nov. has been found to resemble other species of the genus in size, organelle arrangement, and swimming behavior. It differs from other described species in that it has three types of scales, one of which is confined to the region of appendage insertion and forms a sheath of simple plate scales over the haptonema. In addition, the scales constituting the proximal body scale layer(s) are unusual because they are not simple plate scales but are specifically ornamented.