The taxonomy ofPrymnesium(Prymnesiophyceae) including a description of a new cosmopolitan species,P. Patelliferasp. nov., and further observations onP. parvumN. carter

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Abstract
Isolates of Prymnesium from the Pacific coast of North America, Europe and South Africa have been examined using both light and electron microscopy. Some have been identified as P. parvum N. Carter whilst others have been shown to represent a new species, P. patellifera sp. nov. Both species have two layers of body scales which in P. parvum have a pattern of radial ridges on the proximal face but concentrically arranged fibrils on the distal face; in P. patellifera the scales of both layers have a pattern of radial ridges on both faces. In addition, in P. patellifera the scales of the outer layer have a tall upright rim, whilst in P. parvum the scales of the inner layer have a markedly inflexed rim, an observation not previously recorded. A systematic revision of Prymnesium is given and the taxonomic status of the genus Chrysochromulina in relation to Prymnesium is discussed.