PSEUDO-NITZSCHIA CALLIANTHA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) FROM THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, FLORIDA

Abstract

Recent reclassification of Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima and Pseudo-nitzschia cuspidata prompted a reexamination of the P. pseudodelicatissima designation assigned to recently observed blooms in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in Florida. Light microscopy, SEM and TEM were used to study morphological features of Pseudo-nitzschia from the IRL and compare these features to the new classification scheme. The valve shape, density of fibulae and striae, structure of poroid hymen and band striae provided the basis for a re-assignment of the species designation for the IRL specimens. Results of the analyses indicate that the species of Pseudo-nitzschia from the IRL are more closely aligned to the recently described species Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha.