Bull. Natn. Sci. Mus., Tokyo, Ser. B, 27(4), pp. 93- 107, December 22, 2001

Contribution to the Desmid Flora of Papua New Guinea II
Andrey A. Gontcharov 1*, Masayuki Watanabe 2 and Makoto M. Watanabe 3
21
Institute of Biology and Soil Science, 690022, Yladivostok-22, Russia
Department of Botany, National Science Museum, 4- 1- 1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, 305- 0005 , Japan
3
Environmental Biology Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies,16- 2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, 305- 0053, Japan

Abstract Seventy seven taxa of I I genera of desmids (Desmidiales, Zygnemophyceae) were identified from samples collected in Papua New Guinea by the members of an expedition of the National Science Museum, Tokyo in 1975. For nine ofthem this was a first finding in this territory. Light and scanning electron microscope
pictorial references are given and morphological features of some species are discussed.
Key words:

Desmids, flora, new records, Papua New Guinea

The historical background of extensive algal collection from Papua New Guinea
kept in the National Science Museum, Tokyo was given by Gontcharov et al. ( 1999).
Though collected more than 25 years ago this material is still a valuable source of information on algal flora of the region. In part it was examined only recently with particular emphasis made on the desmid algae. This group was rather poorly represented
in most of the samples studied. Nevertheless, a number of new and interestingdesmid taxa has been recorded (Gontcharov et al. I.e.; Gontcharov & Watanabe,
2000). The present paper deals with desmid algae from gatherings made in Octoberand November 1975 by M.W. in different localities ofPapua New Guinea (Fig. 1).
Specimens used in the present study are:
No 51204, 1975-10-4, stream in Keravat near Rabaul , pH= 6.5, water temp. 30°C;
No 51227, 1975-10-8, stream in Variata National Park, pH=6.2, water temp. 26°C,
altitude=450 m;
No 51228, 1975-10-8, pond in Variata National Park, altitude=450m;
Nos 51230-51233, 1975- 10- 9, stream in Sogeri district, pH=6.5, water temp. 29°C,
alt.=500m;
No 51238, 1975-10-9, Sirinum dam in Sogeri district, pH=5 .9, alt.=500m;
Nos 51239, 51240, 1975- 10-15, stream in Woitape, pH=6.5, alt.= 1500m;
No 51358, 1975- 11 -13, stream near Omusis, on the way to Highland Highway fromLae;
*To whom correspondence should be addressed.

94

A. A. Gontcharov et al.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

0

~

200km

BISMARCK

Mt Wilhelm l:l/'',

SOLOMON

SEA

'
0

CORAL
Fig. I.

Collecting sites in Papua New Guinea.

No 51371 , 1975- 11-17, pond in a golf course in Madang;
No 51379, 1975- 11-20, on a moss at road side of Mt. Kaindi , Wau district,alt.=2100m;
Nos 51380-51382, 1975- 11 - 20, stream of Mt. Kaindi, alt.=2100m;
No 51388, 1975- 11- 20, pond at the top of Mt. Kaindi, alt.=2200 m;
No 51392, 1975-11-22, in a drum can at the top of Mt. Kaindi , alt. =2200 m;
No 51394, 1975-11-22, pool at Mt. Kaindi , alt.=2100m;
Nos 51410-51412, 1975-11- 22, shallow pool in Kaisenik, Wau district, pH=5 .9,
alt. = 1800 m;
No 51417, 1975-11- 22, shallow pool in Kaisenik, alt.=1500m;
No 51418, 1975-11-22, shallow pool in Kaisenik, alt. = 1400 m;
No 51419, 197 5-11-22, shallow pool in Kaisenik, alt. = 1350 m;
No 51420, 1975-11-22, shallow pool in Kaisenik, alt. = 1100 m;
No 51422, 1975-11-22, wall of road side in Kaisenik, a it.= 1100 m;
Nos 51428- 51431, 1975- 11 - 23 , stream at the innermost village in Kaindi , Wau district.
The methods used for light and scanning electron microscopes observation are
the same as described in Gontcharov et al. ( 1999). Sammples are deposited in theherbarium of the National Science Museum, Tokyo (TNS).

Contribution to the Desmid Flora ofPapua New Guinea 11

95

The enumeration of the species is in accordance with the system of Ruzicka( 1977) except the genus Staurodesmus Teil. The arrangement of the species withineach genus is alphabetical. Taxa which had not previously been recorded from Papua
New Guinea are marked with an asterisk.
All dimensions are given in micrometers; the following abbreviations are used:
L=length of cell , W =width of cell, T=thickness of cell, I =breadth of isthmus, A=
breadth of apex, csp=with spines, ssp=without spines, cpr=with processes, spr=
without processes, No=sample number.

Species enumeration
Order Desmidiales
Family Closteriaceae Pritch.
Closterium Nitzsch ex Ralfs
Cl. acutum Breb. ex Ralfs. No 51230.
Cl. baillyanum (Breb.) Breb. No 51228.
PI. I, fig. 1, 2
Cl. closterioides (Ralfs) Louis et Peeters. Nos 51228, 51232.
Cl. dianae Ehr. ex Ralfs. Nos 51388, 51410-51412, 51418, 51419, 51430, 51432,
51439.
Cl. ehrenbergii Menegh. ex Ralfs. Nos 51380, 513 71.
Cl. gracile Breb. ex Ralfs. Nos 51228, 51230, 51232.
Cl. lineatum Ehr. ex Ralfs
L 460-620 pm, W 32.5-40 Jlm , A 10 Jlm, striae 8-10 in 10 pm. Nos 51228,
51230,51388 .
Cl. moniliferum (Bory) Ehr. ex Ra1fs. Nos 51204, 51227, 51231 , 51392.
Cl. navicula (Breb.) Li.itkem. var. crassum (W. et G. S. West) Gronbl. No 51230.
Cl. ralfsii Breb. ex Ralfs var. gracilius (Mask.) Krieg. No 51239.
Cl. setaceum Ehr. ex Ralfs. Nos 51230,51232,51239.
Cl. striolatum Ehr. ex Ralfs. Nos 51228,51230.
Cl. rectimarginatum Scott et Prescott
L 182.5- 197.5J.1m, W 22.5J.1m, A 5J.1m . No 51232.
Cl. venus Ki.itz. ex Ralfs. Nos 51230, 51233.
Family Desmidiaceae Ralfs
Pleurotaenium Nag.
P. ehrenbergii (Breb. ex Ra1fs) De Bary var. elongatum (West) West. No 51228.
* P. eugeneum (Turn.) W. et G. S. West
L 425- 630J.1m, W 25-42.5J.1m, A 17.5J.1m. Nos 51232, 51371 , 51388, 51417,
51430, 51420.
PI. I, fig . 3* P. quantillum (Turn.) W. et G. S. West

96

A. A. Gontcharov et al.

L 220- 227.5 ,urn, W 30- 32.5 ,urn, A 15- 17.5 ,urn. Nos 51418, 51420.
P. trabecula (Ehr.) Nag. No 51418.
Actinotaenium (Nag.) Teil.
A. capax (Josh.) Teil.
L 95-115 ,urn, W 57.5- 65 ,urn, I 50- 60 .urn. No 51227, 51238.
A. cruciferum (De Bary) Teil. No 51428.
A. cucurbita (Breb.) Teil. Nos 51228,51232,51238,51428 .
A. cucurbitinum (Biss.) Teil. Nos 51228, 51230, 51232.
*A. curtum (Breb.) Teil. ex Ruzicka et Pouzar
PI. I, fig. 4.
L 37.5-40,um, W 22 .5- 23.7 .urn. Nos 51227,51358 .
Euastrum Ehr. ex Ralfs*E. acanthophorum Turn.
PI. 11, figs . I 0, 11 ; pi. IV, figs . 3, 5.
L 25,um , W 20,um, I 7.5,um, T IS ,urn. Nos 51228,51230,51232.
This rare alga has an appearance and dimensions comparable with those of E.
denticulatum (Kirchn.) Gay. From the latter taxon it differensiates in more elongatedcells (LIB= 1.4- 1.5), stout and long upward diverging spines at the angles of the apical lobes and more narrow apical incision.
Certain details of the cell wall decoration also distinguish these two algae. E.
acanthophorum bears acute granules at the lateral and apical lobes and is provided
with three large smooth warts and three scrobicles between them at the central protrusion. There are similar or smaller scrobicles near the protrusion and one large
scrobicle is always placed at each lateral lobe. Pores of type 4 (Neuhaus & Kiermayer, 1982) are scattered on the cell surface and a few of type 5 are at the apex (PI. IV,
figs 3, 5). Each wart at the central protrusion allies with one or two pores, forming acentral warts-pores complex (Neuhaus & Kiermayer, I.e.).
The taxon under discussion seems to be reported here for the first time in Papua
New Guinea. However, from our point of view, alga illustrated by Vyverman ( 1991 ,pi. 138a) under the name E. denticulatum, may be E. acanthophorum . The appearance of his specimen and the pattern of the cell wall ornamentation corresponds tothose described above and differs from the features depicted in E. denticulatum(Neuhaus & Kiermayer 1982).
E. ansatum Ehr. ex Ralfs. No 51228.
PI. II, fig . 3.
?E. ansa tu m forma
PI. 11, figs I , 2; pi. V, figs I , 3, 5.
L 107.5- 127.5 ,urn, W 42.5-47.5 ,um, I 15- 20 ,urn, A 25 ,urn, T 37 .5-47.5 ,urn .
No 51430.
This large-celled Euastrum species was found in large numbers and was observed under light and scanning electron microscopes. It has oblong trapeziform
semicells with broadly rounded basal angles, nearly straight or slightly retuse lateralsides and truncate apex with rounded angles; apical incision is short and closed. The
central part of the semicell is decorated with 5 protrusions. Widely opening sinus is acharacteristic feature of this alga.

Contribution to the Desmid Flora of Papua New Guinea 11

97

The cell wall in our plant appears punctate under LM, somewhat scrobiculated
at the basal and apical angles and provided with I or 2 (sometimes up to 6) large
pores at the centre of the semi cell. The puncta correspond to pores of type 4 distributed all over the cell surface. The pores are arranged in a hexagon around one central
and this pattern is more or less uniform on the entire surface of the semi cell. A row
of pores comes down from the apical incision (PI. V, figs I, 3, 5). Large pores seen
under LM in fact are simple scrobicles of about I f..Lm in diameter and do not possesspore channel (PI. V, fig. 5).
Taxonomic affiliation of this alga is not firm and we assigned it to E. ansatumwith some doubt. Our specimens are similar to E. obesum Josh. var. tetmemoroides
Croasdale (Croasdale & Scott, 1976) in semicell outline but distinguish from it inpresence of protrusions and scrobicles (usually called large mucilage pores in the literature). These features are typical for E. ansatum and some its varieties but non ofthem possesses widely opened sinus. The alga under consideration also have certain
similarity to E. coni cum (Piayf.) Krieg. in appearance and presence of the scrobicles.
It should be noted that all the taxa mentioned above have been described or reported
from the Indo-Malaysian North-Australian phytogeographical region (Krieger, 1932)and may represent the same polymorphic species.
Features of the cell wall architecture also give no clue on affinity of the alga
under discussion. Smooth cell wall as described above was reported in E. cuneatumand E. ansatum (Coute & Tell , 1981) but Neuhaus & Kiermayer ( 1982) illustrated a
specimen of the latter species with reticulate cell wall. In E. ansatum var. triporum
Krieg. , other related taxon , it was reported as reticulate (Gontcharov et al., 1999) or
faintly scrobiculated (Wei, 1991 ).
E. bidentatum Nag. No 51371.
PI. II , fig. 9.
E. cuneatum Jenn. ex Ralfs .
PI. IV, fig . 6.
L 80- 85 f..Lm , W 32.5-42.5 f..Lm , I 12.5- 17.5f..lm, T l5f.1m. Nos 51228, 51230,
51232 .
The specimens seen possess morphological characters typical for the species
under consideration . Their cell surface is smooth under the SEM and provided withpores of type 4 arranged in a hexagon around one central. A row of pores that goesfrom apical incision across the semicell body is detectable in this species.
E. dubium Nag. Nos 51228, 51230.
E. gaianum De Toni.
L 12.5pm, W IO,um. No 51230.
E. insulare (Wittr.) Roy. Nos 51230, 51232, 51388 , 51394 .
PI. 11 , fig. 8.
*E. kriegeri Prescott
L47.5f.1m, W35f.1m. No51371.
This rare species is reported for the first time in Papua New Guinea.
E. montanum W. et G. S. West. No 51430 .
E. praemorsum (Nordst.) Schmidle.
PI. 11 , fig . 6.

98

A. A. Gontcharov et al.

L 57.5 pm, W 32.5 pm. Nos 51228, 51232.
E. sinuosum Lenorm. ex Arch.
PI. II, figs 4, 5; pi. V, figs 2, 4.
L 57.5 pm, W 30 pm, I 10 pm. Nos 51228, 51230.
The specimens studied represent a transitional form between several varieties of
E. sinuosum . Our alga has 5 large pores at the protrusions and similar pores at thebasal and lateral lobules of the semi cell. Four more pores are placed between protrusions in the centre of the semicell (PI. 11, fig. 5). Such characters as presence andnumber of large pores were used to established a number of infra specific taxa within
the species under discussion but their taxonomic importance seems to be questionable (Ruzicka, 1981 ). Therefore we designated our alga under the nominal variety.
The cell wall of E. sinuosum is smooth except for scrobicles at the angles of theapical, basal and lateral lobules and provided with scattered pores of type 4. They
seem to be distributed all over the cell surface without any clear pattern. Large pores
seen under LM at the protrusions and between them correspond to deep scrobicles(PI. V, figs 2, 4). Those placed between protrusions are often surrounded by triangulardepression in the cell wall. These depressions are sometimes provided with 1-3 pores
but scrobicles themselves do not possess any pore channel.
Characters of the cell wall micromorphology have been described in var. scrobiculatum (Nordst.) Krieg. of the same species (Neuhaus & Kiermayer, 1982). Besides certain difference in the cell morphology their specimen contrasts in faintly
scrobiculated and more densely porous cell wall.
E. spinulosum Delp. No 51371.
E. sublobatum Breb. ex Rlfs var. sumatranum Scott et Prescott
PI. II, fig . 12.
L 20 pm, W 12.5 pm. No 51228, 51232 .
*E. turnerei West. No 51230.
PI. Il, fig. 7.
Micrasterias Ag. ex Ralfs
M. decemdentata (Nag.) Archer. No 51371.
M. pinnatifida (Kiitz.) Ralfs. No 51232 .
Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs
C. amoenum Breb. ex Ralfs var. mediolaeve Nordst. Nos 51428, 51230, 51379,
51381 , 51382.
C. askenasyi Schmidle. Nos 51228, 51230.
PI. I, fig . 5.
*C. bengalense Turner.
L 52.5 pm, W 22.5 pm. No 51228.
C. binum Nordst. in Nordst. et Wittr. Nos 51238, 51418 .
C. botrytis Menegh. ex Ralfs . Nos 51204, 51420.
C. contractum Kirchn. No 51230.
C. contractum var. minutum (Delp.) W. et G. S. West
PI. I, fig . I 0; pi. IV, fig. I.
L 25 pm, W 22.5-25 pm. No 51228.
The cell wall in the specimens seen was finely porous except for the central partof the semi cell where the membrane is internally thickened and often yellowish.

Contribution to the Desmid Flora of Papua New Guinea 11

99

C. granatum Breb. ex Ralfs. No 51419.
C. hammeri Reinsch. No 51228.
C. lundelli Delp. var. corruptum (Turn.) W. et G. S. West. No 51228,51230
C. margaritatum (Lund.) Roy et Biss. Nos 51227, 51371.
C. norimbergense Reinsch var. depressum (W. et G.S. West) Krieg. et Gerloff. No
51230.
*C. novae-semliae Wille var. ornatum Mask. No 51230.
PI. I, fig. 12.
*C. novae-semliae var. sibiricum Boldt. No 51230.
PI. I, fig . 11.
C. obsoletum (Hantzsch) Reinsch. Nos 51228, 51230, 51232.
C. pseudoconnatum Nordst. var. subconstrictum Jao. Nos 51230, 51382, 51392,
51397,51431,51422.
C. pyramidatum Breb. ex Ralfs. Nos 51228, 51230.
C. quadratum Ralfs. Nos 51228,51230,51381,51382.
C. tesselatum (Delp.) Nordst
PI. I, fig . 6; pi. IV, figs 2, 4.
L 107.5 ,urn, W 70 ,urn, I 52.5 ,urn. No 51228.
This large-celled alga has notable appearance due to the characteristic pattern ofthe cell wall ornamentation. It is decorated with granules arranged in regular obliquerows . Each granule is surrounded by 6 pits in a hexagon. The granules cover the entire cell surface diminishing towards the apex, which is often smooth.
C. subtumidum Nordst. No 51232.
C. tinctum Ralfs. No 51230.
Cosmarium sp.
PI. I, figs 8, 9.
L 25 ,urn, W 35 ,urn, I 10 ,urn, T 12.5-15 ,urn. No 51233.
Specimens of yet unidentified Cosmarium species were observed in one of oursamples. It has cells broader than long, deeply constricted with closed linear sinus.
The semicells are semielliptic with acutely rounded angles. In vertical view the cell isrhomboid, with rounded angles and a central protuberance on either side of the semicell. The cell wall is distinctly scrobiculated. Chloroplast has two pyrenoids. The cell
shape in face and vertical views and very narrow linear sinus are characteristic features of this alga.
Xanthidium Ehr. ex Ralfs
X. multicorne Borge
PI. III, figs 5, 6, 8; pi. VI, fig. 1.
Lssp 60 ,urn, W ssp 45 ,urn, I 15 ,urn, Tssp 32 ,urn. No 51228.
This remarkable alga was rather common in the sample collected from the pond
situated in Variata National Park. Its cell wall is smooth and provided with pores
evenly distributed on the surface. The inflated bases of the spines lack pores.
Staurodesmus Teil.
S. incus (Breb.) Teil. No 51228.
S. omearae (Arch.) Teil.
PI. VI, fig . 2.
Lssp 17.5 ,urn, Lcsp 30 ,urn, Wssp 12.5 ,urn, Wcsp 25 ,urn, I 7.5 ,urn. No 51228.
The cell wall is smooth, pores are in a few rows around the lateral angles and at

100

A. A. Gontcharov et al.

the apex.
Staurastrum Meyen ex Ralfs
S. bifidum Bn!b. ex Ralfs. Nos 51228, 51232.
S. botanense Playfair var. variabile Krieg .
PI. Ill, fig. 4.
Lcpr 17.5 ,urn, Wspr 12.5 ,urn, Wcpr 22.5 ,urn. Nos 51228, 51232 .
S. brachiatum Ralfs . Nos 51228, 51232.
S. dilatatum (Ehr.) Ralfs. No 51240.
S. gutwinskii Bernard. No. 51228 .
PI. Ill, fig . 3.
S. irregulare W. et G. S. West. No 51228.
S. laeve Ralfs . No. 51228.
S. sexangulare (Bulnh.) Lund. Nos 51228, 51232.
PI. lll, fig . 7; pi. VI, fig . 4.
According to the description (Bulnhein, 1861: 51, PI. 9A: 1) and numerous literature illustrations this species has serrulate processes but in our specimens cell bodyand processes were smooth except for 2- 3 stout spines at the tip. Pores are limited in
number and confined to the apex of the semicell where they form several indistinct
circles around the central pore.
S. wildemanii Gutw. var. majus (W. et G. S. West) Scott et Prescott PI. Ill, figs I, 2;
pi. VI, fig. 3.
Lssp 45 ,urn, Wssp 40-45 ,urn, Wcsp 80-87.5 ,urn, I 17.5 ,urn. Nos 51228, 51232.
The cell wall is smooth and provided with pores of type 1 evenly distributed on
the surface. Inflated bases of the spines are lacking pores.
Hyalotheca Ehr. ex Ralfs
H. dissiliens (Smith) Breb. ex Ralfs. Nos 51228, 51230, 51232.
Desmidium Ag. ex Ralfs
D. aptogonum Bn!b. ex Ki.itz. No 51232 .
D. grevillii (Ki.itz.) De Bary. No 51232.
D. swartzii (Ag.) Ag. ex Ralfs. No 51232.

References
Bulnhein, 0 . 186 1. Beitriige zur Flora den Desmidiaeen Sachsens. I. Hedwigia , 2: 50- 52.
Coute, A. & Tell, G. 1981. Ultrastructure de la paroi cellulaire des Desmidiacees au microscope electronique a balayage. Beih. Nova Hedwigia , 68 : 7- 228.
Croasdale, H. T. & Scott, A.M. 1976. New or otherwise interesting desmids from northern Australia .
Nova Hedwigia , 27: 501 - 595.
Gontcharov, A. A., Watanabe, M. & Watanabe, M. M. 1999. Contribution to the desmid flora of Papua
New Guinea . Bull. Na t. Sci. Mus. , Tokyo, Set: B, 25: 7--42.
Gontcharov, A. A. & Watanabe, M. 1999. Brachy theca su/cata gen. et sp. nov. (Desmidiaceae, Chlorophyta), a new alga from the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Phycologia , 38: 354- 348.
Krieger, W. 1932. Die Desmidiaceen der deutschen Limnologischen Sudna-Expedition. Arch. Hydrobiol.
Suppl., 11: 129- 230.
Neuhaus, G. & Kiermayer, 0 . 1982. Raster-elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Desmidiaceen:Contribution to the Desmid Flora of Papua New Guinea I!

101

die Poren und ihre Verteilungsmuster. Nova Hedwigia, 36: 499- 568 .
RU.Zicka, J. 1977. Die Desmidiaceen Mitteleuropas. Band l, l. 291 pp. Lieferung. E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart.
RU.Zicka, J. 1981. Die Desmidiaceen Mitteleuropas. Band l , 2. 736 pp. Lieferung. E. Schweizerbart'sche
Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart.
Vyverman, W. 1991 . Desmids from Papua New Guinea. Bib/iotheca Phycol., 87: l- 200.
Wei, Y. -X. 1991. SEM study of cell walls of 24 desmids (Desmidiaceae, Chlorophyta) from China. Chin.
J Oceanol. Limnol, 9: 263- 276.

102

A . A. Gontcharov et al.

3

5

I

I

l

11

, ___
~o:{::tt

11

8

7

l
12

9

I , 2 Closterium baillyanum ; 3 Pleurotaenium quantillwn ; 4 Actinota enium curium; 5
Cosmarium askenasyi; 6 C. tesselatum; 7 C. bengalense; 8, 9 Cosmariun1 sp.; I0 C. comractum var. minutum; 11 C. novae-semliae var. sibiricum ; 12 C. novae-semliae var. ornatum.

Plate I.

Sca le bar = I 0 Jlm.

Con tribution to the Des mid Flora of Papua New Guinea 11

Plate 11. I, 2 ~Euastmm ansarum form a; 3 E. ansatum; 4, 5 E. sinuosum; 6 E. praemorsum; 7 E.
rurnerei; 8 E. kriegeri; 9 E. bidentarum; I 0, 11 E. acanrhophorum ; 12 E. sublobatum var.
sunwllwrum. Scale bar = I 0 ,um.

103

104

A. A. Gontc harov e / al.

Plate Ill. I, 2 Staurastrum wi/deman ii va r. majus ; 3 5. g utwinskii; 4 5. botanense va r. variabi/e;
5, 6, 8 Xanth idium multicorn e; 7 5. sexang ulare. Scale bar= I 0 ,um .

Contribution to the Des mid Flora of Papua New Guinea [I105

Plate IV I Cosmarium contractum var. minutum; 2, 4 C. resselarum; 3, 5 Euastrum acanthophorum ; 6 £. CU/lCOIU/11.

A. A. Gontcharov et al.

I 06

Pl ate V

I , 3, 5 ?£uastrum ansatum forma; 2, 4 E. sinuosum ; 6 Staurastrum sexangulare.

Contrib uti on to the Des mid Flora of Papua New Guinea 11

107

Plate VI. I Xanrhidium mulricorne; 2 Sraurodesmus omearae, 3 Staurasrrum wildemanii var.
majus; 4 S. sexangulare.