Fragilariforma meireana, a new araphid diatom species (Bacillariophyta) producing internal valves from Flanders

By

Van De Vijver, Bart
Williams, David

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-6-9

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

257

Pages

167--177

Subjects

Belgium , Fragilariforma , Morphology , new species , resting spores

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.257.155919

 

Abstract

During a biodiversity survey around the historic Flemish town of Damme, a large Fragilariforma taxon was observed in a small pond that could not be identified using the currently available literature. Detailed light and scanning electron microscopy investigations revealed the presence of so-called resting spores within the frustules. Following comparison with similar linear, long-celled Fragilariforma species, the unknown taxon is described as new: Fragilariforma meireanasp. nov. Discriminating features of the new species include the long, linear valves with protracted, distinctly rostrate apices, the absence of ribbon-like colonies, the presence of a rimoportula on both apices and the formation of internal resting spores.