Nematosphaeropsis labyrinthus

labyrinthus (Ostenfeld, 1903, p.578, fig.127) Reid, 1974, p.592.  Holotype: Ostenfeld, 1903, fig.127.  Originally Pterosperma (a modern prasinophyte), subsequently Pterococcus (combination illegitimate), thirdly Coccopterum, fourthly (and now) Nematosphaeropsis.  Taxonomic junior synonym: Nematosphaeropsis balcombiana, according to Reid (1974, p.592) - however, Wrenn (1988, p.139) retained Nematosphaeropsis balcombiana.  Motile equivalent: Gonyaulax spinifera complex, according to Dodge (1989, p.289).  Wrenn (1988, p.136) retained this species in Pterococcus and did not consider it to be a dinoflagellate; however, Dale in Head and Wrenn (1992, p.12) and Fensome et al. (1993b, p.93) retained this species in Nematosphaeropsis.  Wrenn in Head and Wrenn (1992, p.14) recommended that this name be restricted to the holotype, but see discussion in Rochon et al. (1999, p.30).  Rochon et al. (1999, p.30) implied that this species may be the taxonomic senior synonym of Nematosphaeropsis lemniscata.  N.I.A.  Age: extant.

Parent: Nematosphaeropsis