First record of a rare species, Polyasterias problematica (Prasinophyceae), in Balsfjord, northern Norway

• Published in: Botanica Marina
• Main Authors: Kubiszyn, Anna M, Svensen, Camilla
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2018
• Subjects: VDP::Mathematics and natural science: 400::Basic biosciences: 470; VDP::Matematikk og Naturvitenskap: 400::Basale biofag: 470; Balsfjord; northern Norway; planktonic protists; Polyasterias problematica; Prasinophyceae; Arctic; Canada; Norway; Northern Norway
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10037/14127; https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2017-0123

Source at https://doi.org/10.1515/bot-2017-0123 . Polyasterias problematica is a poorly investigated prasinophyte species, practically known only from a few, primarily historical studies. Fragmentary information on the species indicates that P. problematica is mainly distributed in the euphotic zone of the Canadian and Russian Arctic, Atlantic Canada, the mid-Atlantic and some European seas. Here, we present the first record of this species in the Balsfjord waters, northern Norway. A detailed morphological description, with line drawings and microscopy-based photographs, as well as information on its up-to-date geographical distribution and possible explanations for its extraordinary scarcity are provided.