dcsimg

Toxicity

provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
No direct toxic effects have been observed but C. wailesii produces large amounts of mucilage which, at high cell densities, which can clog up fishing gear and smother the seabed.
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
University of Liverpool
bibliographic citation
Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
author
David J.S. Montagnes

Brief Summary

provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
The shape and extent of the central hyaline area is variable. It can be very small and surrounded by a ring of larger areolae.

References

  • Edward, M., John, AWG., Johns, DG & Reid, PC 2001. Case history and persistence of the non-indigenous diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii in the north-east Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK. 81:207-211.
  • Hasle GR, Syvertsen EE. (1996) In: Identifying Marine Diatoms and Dinoflagellates. C. R. Tomas ed., Academic Press, New York, pp. 5-386.
  • Tomas C ed. (1997) Identifying marine diatoms and dinoflagellates. pp 598. Academic Press Ltd. London

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
University of Liverpool
bibliographic citation
Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
author
David J.S. Montagnes

Comprehensive Description

provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
Cells are often as high as wide, cells are rectangular in outline or with an undulating upper valve edge, depending on the focal plane. In girdle view a prominent hyaline area at the centre of the valve with wide interstrae radiating from it resulting in an irregular fasciculation. Areolae are small. Cribra visible with LM. There are two marginal rings of processes.
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
University of Liverpool
bibliographic citation
Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
author
David J.S. Montagnes

Diagnostic Description

provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
Cells are often as high as wide, cells are rectangular in outline or with an undulating upper valve edge, depending on the focal plane. This is due to a concentric depression near the steep mantle (Tomas 1997). In valve view a prominant hyaline area at the centre of the valve is visible with wide interstrae radiating from it, resulting in an irregular fasciculation. Hyaline lines are more conspicuous on the valve mantle than the valve face. Areolae are small. Cribra are visible with LM Two rings of small processes are located in the area between valve face and mantle. The outer ring contains two larger processes that are 120-180 degrees apart (Tomas 1997). Numerous small, irregular chloroplasts are present
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
University of Liverpool
bibliographic citation
Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
author
David J.S. Montagnes

Distribution

provided by Harmful Phytoplankton Project
Their distribution has been noted in European shelf seas. It is a significant member of the diatom community in the North-East Atlantic.
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
University of Liverpool
bibliographic citation
Guide to UK Coastal Planktonic Ciliates © 2001 DJS Montagnes, University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ciliate/
author
David J.S. Montagnes