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Issue: Vol. 737 No. 4: 16 Jan. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-01-16
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.737.4.1
Page range: 199-213
Abstract views: 60
PDF downloaded: 2

Two new Halamphora (Bacillariophyta) species and the first fossil observations for Halamphora elongata in holocene lacustrine deposits of Hassi Manda in the Erg Er Raoui (Algerian Sahara Desert)

University Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, FSTU,  Stratigraphic Paleontology and Paleoenvironment Laboratory, Department of Earth Science, BP 1015, 31000 Oran, Algeria; University of Hassiba Benbouali, Chlef, Department of Geology, B.P 78C, Ouled Fares, Chlef 02180, Algeria
Canadian Museum of Nature, P.O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario K1P6P4, Canada
University Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, FSTU,  Stratigraphic Paleontology and Paleoenvironment Laboratory, Department of Earth Science, BP 1015, 31000 Oran, Algeria
University Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, FSTU,  Stratigraphic Paleontology and Paleoenvironment Laboratory, Department of Earth Science, BP 1015, 31000 Oran, Algeria
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia Square, Cairo 11566, Egypt
Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, 26040 Eskişehir, Türkiye
Kütahya Dumlupınar University Science & Art Faculty Biology Department, Kütahya, Türkiye 43000
Kütahya Dumlupınar University Science & Art Faculty Biology Department, Kütahya, Türkiye 43000; Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Brawijaya, 65145 Malang, East Java, Indonesia
Algeria diatoms new species new record Sahara Desert Algae

Abstract

This paper describes two new species of Halamphora—Halamphora mujdatiana sp. nov., H. tabelbalaensis sp. nov. and records for the first time Halamphora elongata from fossil deposits in the Algerian Sahara Desert. The study utilized light and scanning electron microscopy to examine valve mor­phology. These species were found in Holocene lacustrine deposits of Hassi Manda in the Erg Er Raoui. The newly identified species, H. mujdatiana is characterized by larger rounded areolae towards to margin while smaller areolae in the central area with a very narrow raphe ledge. Additionally, ventral striae on the external face are composed of biseriate areolae in the central area and uniseriate areolae towards to the apices. Halamphora tabelbalaensis is distinguished by long elongated areolae on the striae and uniseriate areolae at the apices.

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How to Cite

Hamadai, A., Hamilton, P.B., Bouhameur, M., Mennad, S., Saber, A.A., Ertorun, N., Sahraoui, B. & Solak, C.N. (2026) Two new Halamphora (Bacillariophyta) species and the first fossil observations for Halamphora elongata in holocene lacustrine deposits of Hassi Manda in the Erg Er Raoui (Algerian Sahara Desert). Phytotaxa 737 (4): 199–213. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.737.4.1