Eiffelospina candelabrum (Thomsen, 1978) Cavalier-Smith, 2012
basionym Pinaciophora candelabrum Thomsen (1978)
(synonym Rabdiophrys candelabrum Roijackers and Siemensma, 1988)

Diagnosis: Periplast c. 30 X 30 µm when flattened, covered with scales of two kinds. Details of protoplast unknown. Plate-scales circular to oval, occasionally with a median constriction. Scale dimensions ranging from 2.0 to 3.1 µm. Distal scale surface perforated by 6-8 differently sized larger pores occupying the centre of the scale. Between these larger pores and a conspicuous patternless rim the distal scale surface is perforated by minute hexagonally arranged holes. The lower plate -visible through the larger perforations of the distal plate- shows a rather indistinct pattern of minute perforations. The two plates of the scale are fused peripherally, elsewhere connected by intercalary material appearing as black dots, sometimes in a distinct hexagonal arrangement.
Spine-scales (2-9 µm long, c. 0.8 µm wide at the base) flattened distally into a bifurcate tip. Decurrent ridges, mutually connected by irregularly perforated scale material, are proximally attached by a number of struts to a basket like scale base with perforations arranged in distinct lines. The transition from the spine proper to the scale base is subject to some variation; in some cases it appears like a banister encircling a depression from the centre of which the spine emerges.
Type location. Dybsø fjord (Denmark). Surface water sample.