2025/06/09 by Bart Van de Vijver, David M. Williams · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Materials Science · #Diatoms and Algae Research #Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology #Protist diversity and phylogeny
paper · pdf · doi:10.3897/phytokeys.257.155919
openalex publication_date 2025/06/09 · openalex created_date 2025/06/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
During a biodiversity survey around the historic Flemish town of Damme, a large Fragilariforma taxon was observed in a small pond that could not be identified using the currently available literature. Detailed light and scanning electron microscopy investigations revealed the presence of so-called resting spores within the frustules. Following comparison with similar linear, long-celled Fragilariforma species, the unknown taxon is described as new: Fragilariforma meireana sp. nov. Discriminating features of the new species include the long, linear valves with protracted, distinctly rostrate apices, the absence of ribbon-like colonies, the presence of a rimoportula on both apices and the formation of internal resting spores.