The Ultrastructure and Taxonomic Identity of the Symbiotic Algae ofHeterostegina Depressa(Foraminifera: Nummulitidae)

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Abstract
There are numerous examples of symbiotic associations between Foraminifera and unicellular algae. Most of these Foraminifera are larger Foraminifera which occur in the shallow, oligotrophic waters of tropical seas (Table 1). Some of the symbiotic algae have been studied by light microscopy (Table 1, nos. 1–6). Dietz-Elbrächter (1971) suggested that the symbionts of Heterostegina depressa might be diatoms. She was, however, unable to prove this statement satisfactorily. Hottinger & Dreher (1974) published electron micrographs of the symbionts of H. depressa and Operculina ammonoides. From these micrographs identification of the symbionts was not possible. To date, only the symbionts of the following Foraminifera have been classified by electron microscopy:Archaias angulatus, Sorites marginalis, Globigerinoides ruber, Hastigerina pelagica and Globigerinoides sacculifer (Table 1, nos. 7,10,12,13,14).