Symmetric biraphid diatoms (largely non-Navicula) from the Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract

This monograph contains descriptions of taxa from the diatom genera Craticula, Aneumastus, Decussiphycus, Cavinula, Lacustriella, Luticola, Mastogloia, Geissleria, Placoneis, Petroplacus, Navicula, Hippodonta, Sellaphora, Prestauroneis, Fallacia, Stauroneis, Brachysira, Anomoeoneis, Neidium, Diploneis, Caloneis, Pinnularia, Capartogramma, Frustulia, Amphipleura, Krasskella, Gyrosigma and Plagiotropis from periphytic and surface sediment samples in the coastal ecosystems of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Light micrographs are provided for diatom taxa recorded in 207 samples from 106 wetlands, embayments, high-energy and deep, nearshore locales of the five Great Lakes. 148 taxa are characterized, and 2 previously undescribed taxa are named. For 36 of the more common species, lake and habitat specificity, modelled optima for phosphorus and chloride and tolerance to coastal anthropogenic stressors are described.

Keywords:

• benthic
• ecology
• freshwater
• taxonomy
• light microscope
• USA
• Neidium eriensis nov. sp.
• Caloneis lewisii var. laurentii nov. var.

Acknowledgements

I am thankful to two anonymous reviewers who provided thorough reviews of an earlier version of this manuscript. Diatom photography was supported by A. Kireta, N. Andresen, J. Kingston, G. Sgro, J. Johansen and M. Ferguson. K. Kennedy and A. Bellamy helped with graphic design and document production. This document has not been subjected to the Agency’s required peer and policy review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the view of the Agency, and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

The original project was supported by a grant to G. Niemi from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Estuarine and Great Lakes (EaGLe) program through funding to the Great Lakes Environmental Indicators (GLEI) project, U.S. EPA Agreement EPA/R-8286750.