The genus Stauroneis (Bacillariophyta) from the south Shetland islands and James Ross Island (Antarctica)

Abstract

During a survey of the freshwater aquatic and limno-terrestrial diatom flora of the Maritime Antarctic Region, five taxa belonging to the genus Stauroneis that could not be identified were observed. Based on detailed LM and SEM observations, these five taxa have been described as new taxa: Stauroneis australobtusa sp. nov., S. acidojarensis sp. nov., S. delicata sp. nov., S. jamesrossensis sp. nov. and S. reichardtiopsis sp. nov. Comments are made on their taxonomic position and separation from other species in this genus. Brief notes on the ecology and distribution of the five taxa are added. A compiled list of all Stauroneis taxa present in the (sub-)Antarctic region is included in this paper and their biogeography based on the compiled data is discussed.