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Odontella longicruris

Classification
General Close

Centric

(diatoms) Having radial symmetry, i.e., cell is shaped like a coin or a tuna can or a soup can.

Centric diatom
Description
Shape Elliptic cylinder
Size Large diameter 10 - 100 μm
Colour Yellow-brown
Connection Mucous pads on Close

Horns

The apical or antapical extensions found in some armoured dinoflagellates; they contain cytoplasm, are covered in thecal plates and can be hollow or partially solid (Horner 2002).

horns
Covering Silica Close

Frustule

In diatoms, the hard and porous silica cell wall (Horner 2002).

frustule
Close

Flagellum

(plural: flagella) A tail-like projection that sticks out from the cell body and enables movement.

Flagella		 None
Close

Chloroplast

An organelle in the cell that contains the cell pigments (Horner 2002). This is where photosynthesis occurs. A chloroplast is a specialized chromatophore.

Chloroplast		 Numerous, small, near Close

Valve

In diatoms, the structurally distinct halves of the cell wall (Becker 1996).

valve walls
Behaviour
Lifestyle Close

Photosynthesis

The chemical process by which light energy, water and carbon dioxide are combined to produce oxygen and organic compounds. Photoautotrophic organisms (plants and algae) use this reaction to produce their own food.

Photosynthetic. Sexual/asexual.
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Bloom

A rapid increase or accumulation of algal populations in an aquatic system. This will likely involve one or a few dominant phytoplankton species. This follows seasonal patterns (i.e., spring, summer or fall bloom) with dominant species being those that are best adapted to the environmental conditions of that time period. Discolouration of the water may be observed because of the algae's pigmentation. Blooms are often green but may be yellow-brown or red depending on the species present.

Bloom		 Information not available
Harmful effects None known
Distribution
Habitat Close

Neritic

Describing shallow, near-shore areas and the organisms that live there. Refers to shallow marine waters ranging from the low tide mark to the continental shelf. Varying amounts of sunlight penetrate the water, allowing photosynthesis by both phytoplankton and bottom-dwelling organisms. Close proximity to land favours high nutrient content and biological activity (Encyclopedia Britannica 2011).

Neritic
Geographic Subtropical to temperate regions
Seasonal Blooms in fall in Saanich Inlet, BC
Growth Conditions
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Salinity

The dissolved ion content of a body of water. Can be measured in the following units: parts per thousand (PPT or ‰), practical salinity units (PSU), and absolute salinity (g/kg). PPT is measured by weight, denoting the number of parts salt per thousand total parts or a value of 10-3. PSU measures the conductivity of saltwater and compares it in a ratio to a standard KCl solution (because this is a ratio, salinity measured in this way can also be written without units). The newest unit of salinity is absolute salinity, which uses the mass fraction of salt in seawater (g salt per kg seawater) rather than its conductivity (TEOS-20 2010).

Salinity		 Information not available
Temperature Information not available

Synonym(s)

Biddulphia longicruris var. hyalina (J.L.B. Schröder) Cupp 1943 Close

Heterotypic

A difference in type. In naming species, a heterotypic synonym is one that comes into being when a taxon becomes part of a different taxon. Compare to homotypic.

(heterotypic)
Biddulphia hyalina J.L.B. Schröder (heterotypic)
Biddulphia longicruris Greville 1859 Close

Homotypic

Expressing the same fundamental type or structure; may or may not be symmetrical (e.g., the two valves of a diatom, where they are the same shape and appearance, but one is bigger than the other). In naming species, a homotypic synonym is one that comes into being when a taxon gets a new name (without being added to an already existing taxon).

(homotypic Close

Basionym

The original name for an organism. In botany, the original published nomenclature from which a new binomial nomenclature is derived for a particular group of organisms (Tindall 1999).

basionym)
(Guiry and Guiry 2011)

Classification

Empire Eukaryota
Kingdom Chromista
Subkingdom Harosa
Infrakingdom Heterokonta
Phylum Ochrophyta
Subphylum Khakista
Class Mediophyceae
Subclass Biddulphiophycidae
Order Triceratiales
Family Triceratiaceae
Genus Odontella
Species O. longicruris (Greville) Hoban 1983

(Guiry and Guiry 2011)

Lifestyle

Photosynthetic. Reproduces sexually and asexually.

Description

Cells are connected in straight chains, but are sometimes solitary. Valves are elliptical to Close

Lanceolate

Lance-shaped. Having a wider rounded base and tapering towards the tip.

lanceolate, each with two long, tapering and slightly divergent horns. Adjacent cells are united by these horns Close

Process

A natural projection or appendage on an organism.

(processes). The centres of the valve faces are conical, with two long and divergent Close

Spine

In some diatoms, "closed or solid structures projecting from the cell wall;" in dinoflagellates, solid projections that usually taper to a point.

spines (external tubes of Close

Labiate process

In diatoms, a simple slit in the valve wall with two internal lips, one on each side of the slit. They can be useful in identification because they are positioned differently in different species (Horner 2002).

labiate processes) that extend beyond the horns. Thin Close

Siliceous

Describing the character (i.e., white, shimmery) or chemical presence silicon dioxide (SiO2) as a component of phytoplankton cell covering.

siliceous membranes are sometimes present between adjacent cells. Chloroplasts are numerous, small and located near the valve walls; the cell Close

Nucleus

(plural: nuclei) In eukaryotic cells, a membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's genetic information; the nucleus controls the activities of the cell by controlling gene expression.

nucleus is central. Cells are yellow-brown in colour (Cupp 1943).
The intercalary region is separated from the valves by a pronounced depression. Horns have Close

Costate ocellus

"A plate of silica pierced by closely packed pores" with siliceous ribs between each row of pores (Tomas 1997).

ocelli (Hasle and Syvertsen 1997) and the spine tips are slightly branched (Cupp 1943). "Valves with Close

Punctum

(plural: puncta) A sharp tip or small point on any part of an organism's anatomy.

puncta radiating from a small Close

Hyaline

Resembling glass; transparent or translucent.

hyaline central area, forming concentric ellipses on each half of the valve, in nearly parallel rows near base of valve Close

Mantle

In diatoms, "the part of a valve that extends from the valve face, forming the valve edge." It is visible when the frustule is viewed in girdle view (Spaulding 2010).

mantle. Close

Girdle

In diatoms, the portion of the cell wall between the two valves of a cell; made up of intercalary bands (bands closest to the valves) and connecting bands (bands in the middle of the girdle). In dinoflagellates, the equivalent of a cingulum or transverse furrow (Horner 2002).

Girdle zone with fine, parallel, vertical rows of puncta. Close

Intercalary bands

Girdle bands that are furthest away from the valve (Smithsonian 2011).

Intercalary bands sometimes present, finely Close

Punctated

Marked with tiny coloured spots or depressions.

punctated, in vertical rows" (Cupp 1943).

Measurements

Large diameter Close

Apical

(axis, spine) The region of the apex or point. Refers to the most anterior point or region of the cell (HPP 2003).

(apical axis): 15 - 110 μm
Valve Close

Areola(e)

In diatoms, the regularly repeated hexagonal holes on the valve walls (HPP 2003).

areolae: 12 - 17 in 10 μm
Band areolae: 18 - 21 in 10 μm
(Cupp 1943)

Similar species

None.

Harmful effects

None known.

Habitat

Neritic (Cupp 1943).

Distribution

Geographic:
Subtropical to temperate regions (Cupp 1943).
Seasonal:
Often blooms in autumn in Saanich Inlet, BC (Sancetta 1989).
Local:
"Reported north to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Most abundant in warmer waters. Common at Point Hueneme and south to 17°41'; N" (Cupp 1943).

Growth conditions

Information not available.

Environmental Ranges

Information not available.

Bloom characteristics

Information not available.

References

Cupp, E. E. 1943. Marine Plankton Diatoms of the West Coast of North America. University of California Press. Berkeley, California. 238.

Guiry, M. D. and Guiry, G. M. 2011. Odontella longicruris (Greville) Hoban. http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=39270. Accessed 19 Nov 2011.

Hasle, G. R. and Syvertsen, E. E. 1997. Marine diatoms. In: Tomas, C.R. (ed.) Identifying Marine Phytoplankton. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego. 5-385.

Sancetta, C. 1989. Spatial and temporal trends of diatom flux in British Columbian fjords. Journal of Plankton Research. 11(3): 503-520.