Pentagonia shablensis
P. shablensis, from Todorov & Golemansky, 1998

Pentagonia shablensis  Todorov & Golemansky, 1998

Diagnosis: Shell transparent, ovoid elongate, swollen in the mid-region but tapering at both extremities, to give a rounded protuberance aborally and gradually near the aperture, to give a slightly pronounced neck. Shell with three or four rounded longitudinal ribs which give a triangular or quadrangular shape of the shell in transverse section. shell composed mainly of small to medium flattish pieces of quartz so arranged that give a relatively smooth surface. The aperture is circular and surrounded by mainly small particles of quartz.

Measurements. Length 81-100; Width 52-65; Aperture 20-28; Length of collar 3-4 (n=23). My measurements: 78-82 µm (n-6).

Geographical distribution: Netherlands, Bulgaria.

Remarks: This species is similar to P. maroccana Gauthier-Lievre & Thomas (1958), but may be distinguished from it by the absence of a clear pronounced aboral spine or horn and by the smaller and not curved collar. Furthermore, P. shablensis is distinct in having a larger ovoid shell with a more open aperture.
In 2021, I collected specimens from the Gooimeer, a large lake in the Netherlands. These specimens had an irregular outline in top view, ranging from round, triangular to square (see below). Originally, I considered these specimens as Difflugia mammillaris . The form of Pentagonia shablensis in particular raises the question of whether it is a junior synonym of D. mammillaris and to what extent it is justified to maintain Pentagonia as an independent taxon.

Pentagonia shablensis
Pentagonia shablensis, Bulgaria, from Todorov and Golemansky, 1998.
Pentagonia shablensis
P. shablensis, from Gooimeer, the Netherlands. Note the square contour in top view.
Pentagonia shablensis
Pentagonia shablensis
P. shablensis, Gooimeer. Square (L) and triangular (R) contour in top view.
Pentagonia shablensis
P. shablensis, from Gooimeer, the Netherlands.
Ferry Siemensma, created January 13, 2023; last modified October 16, 2024
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