Hypheothrix symplocoides N.L.Gardner
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Authority
Gardner, Nathaniel L. 1927. New Myxophyceae from Porto Rico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 7: 1-144. pl. 1-23.
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Family
Oscillatoriaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Filaments 8-10 µ diam., prostrate and free at the base, growing erect and coalescing firmly into acute conical fascicles, seemingly many trichomes in a common sheath, but the individual filaments 8-10 µ diam., prostrate and free at the base, growing erect and coalescing firmly into acute conical fascicles, seemingly many trichomes in a common sheath, but the individual filaments containing but a single trichome, very distinct below, and in part remaining completely distinct throughout; fascicles about 1 mm. high; trichomes 2.4-2.8 µ diam., not constricted at the cross-walls; cells 1.5-3 times as long as the diameter, bright aeruginous, homogeneous to finely granular; sheath hyaline, almost transparent, smooth, homogeneous filaments containing but a single trichome, very distinct below, and in part remaining completely distinct throughout; fascicles about 1 mm. high; trichomes 2.4-2.8 \x diam., not constricted at the cross-walls; cells 1.5-3 times as long as the diameter, bright aeruginous, homogeneous to finely granular; sheath hyaline, almost transparent, smooth, homogeneous.
Distribution and Ecology - Growing on the soil in a forest near Hacienda Catalina, Palmer, no. 760, type, and no. 754.
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Discussion
PLATE 10, FIGURE 97
The material of this species possesses the characters closely relating it to at least four established genera. Its size, color and especially its fasciculate habit of growth, are typical of the genus Symploca Kuetz. but the sheaths are too much thickened to be characteristic of that genus and the characteristic branching is lacking. Nothing would prevent its alliance with Gomont's genus Sytnplo cast rum, but its lack of multiple trichomes within a common sheath excludes it from that genus as emended by Kirchner. It is a typical Schizotlirix in the sense of Forti with the exception of the color of the sheaths, and in the sense of Kirchner (loc. cit., 60), with the same exception, and in additional exception of the lack of multiple trichomes in a common sheath. They become confluent by fusion after formation of the separate sheaths. It is typical Hypheothrix with the exception of the symplocoid habit, a condition which varies considerably with the environment. I am placing it in the last-mentioned genus, awaiting further knowledge of its life history.