Stephanocha K. McCartney

Jordan, Richard W., 2015, Stephanocha nom. nov., a replacement name for the illegitimate silicoflagellate genus Distephanus (Dictyochophyceae), Phytotaxa 201 (3), pp. 177-187 : 178

Stephanocha K. McCartney & R.W. Jordan, nom. nov.

Synonym: Distephanus Stöhr 1880: 121 . (nom. illeg.: later homonym of Distephanus Cassini )

Description: Includes taxa that have siliceous skeletons based on an apical ring supported by struts that are attached to a larger basal ring. The apical structure consists of a latticework of rods with openings (portals) bounded by the struts and two rings, and a generally large window enclosed by the apical ring. Window is generally undivided. The surface formed by the apical elements conforms to a smooth hemispherical shape. Two such hemispherical skeletons may interconnect to form a double skeleton whose shape can approximate but not exceed a sphere. Basal ring has a geometric design of radial or bilateral symmetry with corners that lie within a basal plane. Apical ring occurs in a plane parallel to the basal ring and has an equivalent number of sides, from five to twelve or more. Spines are oriented radially and may occur at the corners of the basal ring or on the apical structure. Pikes may occur on the abapical surface of the basal ring and point in an abapical direction, and serve a role in double skeleton articulation.

Type species:— Stephanocha rotunda (Stöhr) K. McCartney & R.W. Jordan, comb. nov.

Basionym:— Distephanus rotundus Stöhr 1880: 121 , pl. 7, fig. 9.

Etymology:— stephanos (Gr.: στέφανος) = crown; ocheo (Gr.: ὀχέω) = to bear or carry