Surirella terryi and S. cruciata: two rare diatoms from North America

Abstract

Surirella cruciata A. Schmidt and S. terryi Terry are rare and poorly known diatom species originally described from North America and previously illustrated only by drawings. The goal of this study was to examine and document the morphology and distribution of these species. First photographs designating the lectotype of S. terryi and the neo- and epitypes of S. cruciata are presented. Our revision of the distribution records shows that both species are found mostly along the east coast of the USA with a main occurrence in the New England states, while records from outside North America were not confirmed. Surirella terryi and S. cruciata sometimes co-occur, although S. terryi is a strictly freshwater species, while S. cruciata tolerates wider range of salinities from strictly fresh to brackish waters.

Keywords:

• morphology
• North America
• northeastern USA
• Surirella cruciata
• Surirella terryi
• taxonomy
• type

Acknowledgements

We thank Jonathan English, who helped us with the identifications while working on Surirella from North America at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Friedel Hinz provided photos of S. cruciata from the Hustedt Collection, and Bart Van de Vijver provided photos of S. terryi from Beattie Pond, Connecticut, in the Van Heurck Collection.

Funding

A research award from L.L. Bean and Friends of Acadia funded collection efforts in Acadia National Park. Jana Veselá is grateful for two separate McHenry Fellowships which supported study at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia to complete the work on these taxa. Jana Veselá received assistance from the University of South Bohemia, through a grant to the Botany Department [grant number GAJU # 138/2010/P]; the American Science and Information Center [grant number AMVIS # LH12100].