Fistulifera alcalina sp. nov. (Naviculales, Stauroneidaceae) a new alkaliphilic diatom species from Lake Okeechobee, Florida (USA)

Abstract

In this work, we propose and describe a novel diatom species, Fistulifera alcalina sp. nov., isolated from Port Mayaca on Lake Okeechobee, Florida (USA). This new diatom species represents a distinct lineage within the genus Fistulifera, which includes F. iranensis (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot, F. saprophila (Lange-Bertalot & Bonik) Lange-Bertalot, F. pelliculosa (Kützing) Lange-Bertalot, and F. solaris S. Mayama, M. Matsumoto, K. Nemoto & T. Tanaka. Morphometric and molecular phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA and rbcL genes strongly support Fistulifera alcalina as a new species. Fistulifera alcalina sp. nov. is cultured in media with moderate salinity and high bicarbonate concentrations in contrast to the other species of Fistulifera which show ecological preferences for high salinity and eutrophic or oligotrophic waters. This is also the first record of Fistulifera in the southeastern United States (Florida, USA).

Keywords:

• new species
• SEM
• lipid production
• fistula
• Bacillariophyta
• alkaline

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the USDA NIFA Hatch project #FLA-FTL-005697 for partial support. We would also like to thank Scott Whitaker from the NMNH-SI for assistance with the SEM imaging.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by USDA NIFA Hatch project [#FLA-FTL-005697].