Planothidium juandenovense sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) from Juan de Nova (Scattered Islands, Mozambique Channel) and other tropical environments: A new addition to the Planothidium delicatulum complex

Abstract

Planothidium juandenovense sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) is described from the marine tropical environments of Juan de Nova I. (Mozambique Channel), Rodrigues I. (Mascarene Archipelago) and from Guam (Northern Mariana Is., Pacific). This small and relatively rare taxon has short multiseriate striae on the sternum valve (SV), hooked raphe valve (RV) terminal raphe endings and no SV cavum or hoof-shaped area. This taxon has similarities with Planothidium delicatulum (Kütz.) Round et Bukht. and Planothidium septentrionale (Østrup) Round et Bukht. ex Rumrich et al., but also differences: e.g. a relatively narrow and rhombic SV sternum, void of areolae, with vestigial radiate structures and an uninterrupted marginal SV elevated crest or ‘crista marginalis’. P. juandenovense sp. nov. is compared to some other Achnanthales with short SV striae. Cocconeis quarnerensis var. lanceolata Jurilj and Planothidium quarnerense f. rhombica (Giffen) comb. nov. may be close to our new taxon.