COCCONEIS POTTERCOVEI SP. NOV. AND COCCONEIS PINNATA VAR. MATSII VAR. NOV., TWO NEW MARINE DIATOM TAXA FROM KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA

Abstract

Details of two new small marine taxa of the genus Cocconeis Ehrenberg are described; C. pottercovei sp. nov. and C. pinnata var. matsii var. nov., which were observed as epipelic and epiphytic in Potter Cove, King George Island, Antarctica. Descriptions are based on both light and scanning electron microscope observations. C. pottercovei belongs to the group of Cocconeis taxa that bear very short and marginal striae on the rapheless valve while C. pinnata var. matsii belongs to the C. costata Gregory complex. They are mainly differentiated from the other similar taxa by stria number, stria arrangement and structure on both raphe and rapheless valves. A comparison with closely resembling taxa is given.