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Type: Article
Published: 2025-07-29
Page range: 75-80
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Aulacoseira westfjordensis, a new centric diatom species from Iceland (Aulacoseiraceae, Coscinodiscophyceae)

Meise Botanic Garden, Research Department, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Department of Biology – ECOSPHERE, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
Meise Botanic Garden, Research Department, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Biology, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 B-Elsene, Belgium
Meise Botanic Garden, Research Department, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium
Meise Botanic Garden, Research Department, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium
Meise Botanic Garden, Research Department, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium
Aulacoseira iceland morphology new species ultrastructure Algae

Abstract

A new centric diatom, Aulacoseira westfjordensis sp. nov., is described from the Westfjords in northwestern Iceland. The morphology of the species is illustrated using detailed light and scanning electron microscopy observations. Its main discriminating features include the very shallow Ringleiste, the presence of long attenuate spines with an anchor-shaped tip and acute side outgrowths, mantle striae composed of a spiraling, oblique and a straight parallel part, a hyaline discus and marginal valve face areolae. The new species is compared to related species showing a combination of a hyaline discus and long, thin irregular spines. The species is observed in several weakly acid, soft-water rivers and brooks in the Westfjords.

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How to Cite

van De Vijver, B., Willems, L., de Haan, M., Ballings, P. & Pottiez, M. (2025) Aulacoseira westfjordensis, a new centric diatom species from Iceland (Aulacoseiraceae, Coscinodiscophyceae). Phytotaxa 712 (1): 75–80. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.712.1.7