Tryblionella persuadens comb. nov. (Bacillariaceae, Diatomeae): New observations on frustule morphology of a seldom recorded diatom

Abstract

The species originally described from brackish waters of the Venetian Lagoon as Nitzschia persuadens is a diatom rarely cited in the literature since its proposition and it is here recorded for the first time in a freshwater environment in South America. Morphological features of this species, such valve slightly panduriform, with a longitudinal straight fold of the valve face, poroidal areolae, and strongly eccentric raphe system clearly assign this species to Tryblionella, and the transfer was made. Here we present new observations on the frustule morphology and comparisons with related species. Light and scanning electron microscopy data of Tryblionella persuadens comb. nov. from Cachoeira River, Northeastern Brazil are documented.