Title

Envekadea Metzeltinii Sp. Nov., A New Diatom (Bacillariophyta) Species from the Subtropical Karstic Wetlands of the Florida Everglades, U.S.A.

Authors

Sylvia S. Lee, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International UniversityFollow
Franco A.C. Tobias, Department of Biological Sciences and the Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International UniversityFollow
Bart Van De Vijver, Department of Bryophyta & Thallophyta, National Botanic Garden of Belgium; Department of Biology, University of AntwerpFollow

Abstract

Envekadea metzeltinii sp. nov. is described from periphyton assemblages in the subtropical karstic wetlands of the Florida Everglades, U.S.A. The morphology of the new diatom species is documented by light and scanning electron micrographs and discussed in detail, including comparisons with related species in the genera Envekadea, Caloneis, andNavicula. The new species is characterized by a linear valve outline, a sigmoid raphe course, broad variability in areola shapes and sizes, and two clearly raised axial costae. Apart from the type locality in Florida, the species was observed from similar wetlands in the Yucatan, Mexico. Notes on its ecology and distribution are added.

Based on the morphology of the most similar species, Navicula palestinae, the latter is transferred to the genus Envekadea.

Comments

The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.115.1.2

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DBI-0620409 and #DEB-9910514. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Recommended Citation

Lee, S.S., F. Tobias, B. Van de Vijver. 2013. Envekadea metzeltinii sp nov., a new diatom (Bacillariophyta) species from the subtropical karstic wetlands of the Florida Everglades, USA. Phytotaxa 115: 15-24. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.115.1.2