OBSERVATIONS ON THE GENUS PINNULARIA SECTION DISTANTES (BACILLARIOPHYTA) FROM MACEDONIA; DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

Pinnularia is one of the largest and widely distributed freshwater diatom genera. Nevertheless, dedicated taxonomic studies to the section Distantes of Pinnularia are rather few. A notable diversity of Pinnularia taxa from the section Distantes has been observed from a variety of aquatic habitats оn several mountain areas in Macedonia. In total, 12 taxa have been observed, of which three are described as new species: Pinnularia idsbensis, P. micevskii and P. subalpina. The main morphological features are given for all of the observed taxa. The distinctive features for the new species, in comparison with allied taxa, are also provided. Additional notes are given for the distribution and habitats where every taxon was observed. The habitats vary in type and altitude including high mountain lakes of glacial and non-glacial origin, springs, streams, rivers, rivulets and peat bogs, as well as aerated old drinking water wells and permanent or temporary wet rocks.