Spiniferomonas (Chrysophyceae) in Ontario lakes including a revision and descriptions of two new species

Abstract

The little known chrysophycean genus Spiniferomonas Takahashi is an important component of the phytoplankton of many Ontario lakes. Ten species have been found, only three of which (S. trioralis Tak., S. bourrellii Tak., and S. andersonii Green) are known previously from North America. Two species (S. andersonii, S. conica Tak.) are shown to be synonymous with the type species, S. bourrellii. Two new species are described (Spiniferomonas takahashii and Spiniferomonas serrata) and a revised key to all known species is presented.Spiniferomonas trioralis is the most abundant and widely distributed species in Ontario and is clearly eurytopic in its requirements for growth. It is common in a variety of lakes having Secchi disc visibilities of 2–10 m and pH and alkalinity ranges of 5.8–8.5 and 5–150 mg CaCO3/L, respectively.