Rhoicosigma compactum (Greville) Grunow Figs 139–143

Ref. illus.: Van Heurck 1896, pl. 28, fig. 802; Peragallo & Peragallo 1897 –1908, pl. 35, fig. 8 Sample GU52N-7, GU52O-3; GU52P-1

Dimensions: Length 97–118 µm, width 16–23 µm, striae 20–22 in 10 µm.

Diagnostics: Frustule bent along the valvar plane (achnanthoid) (Fig. 139); raphe on concave/ventral valve highly sigmoid, the other (convex valve) nearly straight (as for the genus) (Figs 140, 141, 143). Plastids are several large plates (Fig. 139). Central raphe endings overlap on both valves (Fig. 142).

a

Numbers in brackets from Cleve (1895), others from Medlin (1985).

Comments: Hein & Lobban (2015) included two SEMs of this species for comparison with their new species R. parvum. Here I present full documentation of the record. Peragallo & Peragallo (1897 –1908) gave length = 77–180 µm, whereas Van Heurck (1896) gave rather larger dimensions of 140–180 x 35 µm, both gave stria density of 20–24 in 10 µm for R. compactum. R. oceanicum H. Peragallo (Peragallo & Peragallo 1897 –1908, pl. 35, figs 3–7) is still larger (160–260 x 36– 45µm), with still coarser striae (17–18 in 10 µm). Hendey (1964, p. 250) gives dimensions of R. compactum as 90–150 µm, transapical striae 17–20 in 10 µm, longitudinal striae 22–24 in 10 µm, but he cites Peragallo & Peragallo (1897 –1908) figs 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, whereas their figs 3–7 are identified as R. oceanicum.