Halamphora hampyeongensis sp. nov. (Amphipleuraceae, Bacillariophyceae), a new marine benthic diatom from a tidal mudflat in Hampyeong Bay, South Korea

By

An, Sung Min
Kim, Jihoon
Cho, Kichul
Hwang, Hyun-Ju

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

248

Pages

59--71

Subjects

18S , Morphology , new species , Phylogeny , rbcL gene , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.248.135034

 

Abstract

The abundance and variety of benthic diatoms inhabiting tidal flats is widely acknowledged, although it has received relatively less attention than other research areas. In this investigation, we provide a formal description of a benthic diatom found in the tidal mudflat of South Korea, based on morphological and molecular characteristics and the similarities and differences between Halamphora hampyeongensissp. nov., with morphologically similar Halamphora species are also discussed. Morphological characteristics are described from light and electron microscopy images. H. hampyeongensis is distinguished by its wide ventral sides of the valve, small and rounded areolae present across the whole valve face, and dense dorsal striae biseriate (34–38 in 10 μm). Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA and rbcL sequence data revealed that H. hampyeongensis is related to H. montana, H. mosensis, and H. specensa. The results (morphometric and molecular) provide sufficient elements to support and propose this taxon as a new species.