Pico- and nanoplankton from the inner Oslofjord, eastern Norway, including description of two new species of Luffisphaera (incerta sedis)

Abstract

Species composition of pico- and nanoplanktonic flagellates in the inner Oslofjord was studied during the main breeding season of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) in May-July. Light and electron microscopic studies on SDC (serial dilution cultures) and natural samples revealed the presence of more than 40 different photoautotrophic and heterotrophic taxa less than 10 μm in size. Two new species of the genus Luffisphaera are described: L. perforata and L. poculifera.