FRESHWATER SPECIES OF ACHNANTHES BORY FROM HAWAII

Abstract

We surveyed subaerial habitats on the four main islands of Hawaii, USA for freshwater algae to examine patterns of distribution and to search for endemic species. Habitats sampled included cliff faces that ranged in moisture content from very dry to periodically moist from groundwater fog and rain. In this report we focus on the species richness, distribution and morphology of the diatom genus Achnanthes sensu stricto. We document the distribution and morphology of Achnanthes inflata and describe five new species in this genus.