Discostella oyanensis, sp. nov., a new planktonic diatom species from Nigeria, West Africa

Abstract

A new diatom, Discostella oyanensis sp. nov., is described from plankton samples obtained from a Nigerian reservoir. This species level designation is supported by the combination of morphological features exhibited in the taxon. It represents the third species described from the African continent in this globally distributed genus. Discostella oyanensis is compared to the 23 described Discostella species, and morphological features allowing species level discrimination are identified. The absence of material and detailed information in the literature make this morphological comparison problematic for two D. stelligera varieties.

Keywords:

• diatom(s)
• Discostella
• Cyclotella
• Stephanodiscaceae
• dam
• reservoir

Acknowledgements

The authors also wish to thank Dr. Marina Potapova of the Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia for her generous contribution of time and for providing access to the ANSP diatom herbarium. We also extend thanks to Dr. O.A. Kunrunmi, Ms. O. Adeniyi-Martins, and Mr. Adeniyi Tiwalade for their help in obtaining collections and processing materials used in this study. We are grateful to the management of OORBDA for allowing access to the dam, and Mr. Adegboye O. Richard and Mr. Salako Olasunkanmi of OORBDA for their assistance in manning the boat. We are also thankful for the encouragement and support provided by Ms. J. Julius and Mr A.M. Adesalu.

ORCID

Matthew L. Julius http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1693-4644

Additional information

Funding

Funds provided by a grant (University of Lagos, CRC No.M2015/01) to Adesalu, T.A. supported this research.