Fottea - a journal of the Czech Phycological Society

PROCHÁZKOVÁ, L., HOUK, V., NEDBALOVÁ, L.: Discostella tatrica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae) – a small centric diatom from the Tatra Mountain lakes (Slovakia/Poland). - Fottea 12(1): 1-12, 2012
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RIAUX-GOBIN, C., WITKOWSKI, A. & RUPPEL, M.: Scalariella a new genus of monoraphid diatom (Bacillariophyta) with a bipolar distribution. - Fottea 12(1): 13–25, 2012
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LUÍS, A.T., NOVAIS, M.H., VAN DE VIJVER, B., ALMEIDA S.F.P., FERREIRA DA SILVA, E.A., HOFFMANN, L. & ECTOR, L.: Pinnularia aljustrelica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new diatom species found in acidic waters in the Aljustrel mining area (Portugal) and further observations on the taxonomy and ecology of P. acidophila Hofmann et Krammer and P. acoricola Hustedt. - Fottea 12(1): 27-40, 2012
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MORALES, E.A., NOVAIS, M.H., CHÁVEZ, G., HOFFMANN, L. & ECTOR, L.:  Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Bolivian Altiplano: three new araphid species from the Desaguadero River draining Lake Titicaca. - Fottea 12(1): 41–58, 2012
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WANG, Q., YANG, X., HAMILTON, P.B. & ZHANG, E.: Linking spatial distributions of sediment diatom assemblages with hydrological depth profiles in a plateau deep–water lake system of subtropical China. - Fottea 12(1): 59–73, 2012
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HINDÁK, F. & HINDÁKOVÁ, A.: Ettliella tetraspora (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae): life cycle and taxonomy. - Fottea 12(1): 75-81, 2012
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FUČÍKOVÁ, K. & LEWIS, L.A.: Intersection of Chlorella, Muriella and Bracteacoccus: Resurrecting the genus Chromochloris Kol et Chodat (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta). - Fottea 12(1): 83-93, 2012
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VAN GEEST, A. & COESEL, P.:Desmids from Lake Nabugabo (Uganda) and adjacent peat bogs. - Fottea 12(1): 95-110, 2012
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ŠTĚPÁNKOVÁ, J., HAŠLER, P., HLADKÁ, M. & POULÍČKOVÁ, A.: Diversity and ecology of desmids of peat bogs in the Jeseníky Mts: spatial distribution, remarkable finds. - Fottea 12(1): 111-126, 2012
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PALIŃSKA, K.A., ABED, R.M.M., WENDT, K., CHARPY, L., LOTOCKA, M. & GOLUBIĆ, S.: Opportunistic Cyanobacteria in benthic microbial mats of a tropical lagoon, Tikehau Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago: minor in natural populations, major in cultures. - Fottea 12(1): 127-140, 2012
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KOMÁREK, J.: Nomenclatural changes in heterocytous Cyanoprokaryotes (Cyanobacteria, Cyanophytes). - Fottea 12(1): 141-148, 2012
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PROCHÁZKOVÁ, L., HOUK, V., NEDBALOVÁ, L.: Discostella tatrica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae) – a small centric diatom from the Tatra Mountain lakes (Slovakia/Poland).

A new small Discostella (Bacillariophyceae), D. tatrica Procházková, Houk et Nedbalová sp. nov., from lakes of the High Tatra mountains (Slovakia/Poland, Europe) is described here on the basis of light and electron microscopy. This species is reminiscent of D. guslyakowyi Genkal, Bondarenko et Popovskaya and D. stelligeroides (Hustedt) Houk et Klee. However, it differs from D. guslyakowyi in having alveolae in the central parts, and from D. stelligeroides in the possibility of having an incomplete stellate pattern in its convex central parts and possessing an alveolus in its concave central parts. The valve morphology and ultrastructure is documented here in light and electron microscope images, and it is discussed, as well as its ecology, with these of other similar Discostella taxa.

RIAUX-GOBIN, C., WITKOWSKI, A. & RUPPEL, M.: Scalariella a new genus of monoraphid diatom (Bacillariophyta) with a bipolar distribution.

The identity of a small–celled diatom Naviculadicta pseudofallacia Witkowski, Metzeltin et Lange–Bertalot, originally described from Bear Island, southernmost island of the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard, is reconsidered. Observations of marine samples from the Kerguelen archipelago (Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean sector) revealed that this species also occurs in the Subantarctic region. The original classification within Naviculadicta was erroneous since this species is a monoraphid taxon and belongs to the Achnanthales. Its morphological features justify creating a new genus Scalariella Riaux–Gobin, which is distinguished from other achnanthoid genera by a peculiar raphe system, the stria structure of the sternum valve (each stria composed of a depressed macroareola), and the presence of a lateral solid area in the raphe valve, splitting each stria into two areolae. Based on light and electron microscopy, N. pseudofallacia is renamed Scalariella pseudofallacia (Witkowski, Metzeltin et Lange–Bertalot) Riaux–Gobin et Witkowski comb. nov. The genus also includes a second and rare species, observed in the Kerguelen material, S. oblongella Riaux–Gobin, Witkowski et Ruppel, which is described and illustrated, but which needs complementary observations. The morphology of Scalariella is compared to that of some genera split from the genus Achnanthes Bory. The biogeography of Scalariella pseudofallacia, a marine taxon probably misidentified in the past due to its small size, is reconsidered with respect to its affinity for subpolar, cold water habitats, in both hemispheres.

LUÍS, A.T., NOVAIS, M.H., VAN DE VIJVER, B., ALMEIDA S.F.P., FERREIRA DA SILVA, E.A., HOFFMANN, L. & ECTOR, L.: Pinnularia aljustrelica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new diatom species found in acidic waters in the Aljustrel mining area (Portugal) and further observations on the taxonomy and ecology of P. acidophila Hofmann et Krammer and P. acoricola Hustedt.

A new benthic freshwater diatom species belonging to the genus Pinnularia Ehrenb. has been recorded in the Água Forte stream surrounding the Aljustrel mining area in southern Portugal. Pinnularia aljustrelica Luís, Almeida et Ector sp. nov. is described as a new species based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations and on its particular habitat in an acidic environment due to acid mine drainage, high metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) and high sulphate and conductivity. The taxa most similar to P. aljustrelica are P. acidophila Hofmann et Krammer, P. acoricola Hustedt and P. acoricola var. lanceolata Hustedt, so type materials of these taxa were studied for comparative purposes. Although, the ecology of the three similar taxa is also quite similar, the new species has a combination of particular morphological characteristics studied under LM and SEM that separates it from the rest. Pinnularia aljustrelica has a general shape relatively similar to P. acidophila and P. acoricola, but the valve outline is not as linear as in P. acidophila and not as oval as in P. acoricola.

MORALES, E.A., NOVAIS, M.H., CHÁVEZ, G., HOFFMANN, L. & ECTOR, L.:  Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Bolivian Altiplano: three new araphid species from the Desaguadero River draining Lake Titicaca.

Three new araphid diatom species, Pseudostaurosira decipiens E. Morales, G. Chávez et Ector, P. sajamaensis E. Morales et Ector and Staurosira kjotsunarum E. Morales, Novais et Ector are described from a single sample taken from the Desaguadero River in the Bolivian Altiplano. These species clearly belong in their respective genera as evidenced by their morphological features studied using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pseudostaurosira decipiens is unique in its genus because of the combination of lanceolate–shaped valves with central area, well–developed spines lacking ligulae, siliceous deposits on outer and inner areolar openings similar to flaps, and the inner rounded structure of the apical pore fields. Pseudostaurosira
sajamaensis is different from other species of Pseudostaurosira due to its elliptic to lanceolate valves bearing a wide central sternum, spines with developed ligulae and bilobed flaps, robust volae and reduced or absent apical pore fields. Staurosira kjotsunarum is unique within Staurosira in having elevated costae on both external and internal views, narrowly spatulate spines that hold onto areolae of neighboring valves along a chain, and striae composed of round poroids underneath the apical pore fields on the valve mantle. The three species are compared with morphologically similar taxa and a brief analysis of the richness found in the studied sample in the context of previous publications on diatoms from the Andes and contiguous regions is presented.

WANG, Q., YANG, X., HAMILTON, P.B. & ZHANG, E.: Linking spatial distributions of sediment diatom assemblages with hydrological depth profiles in a plateau deep–water lake system of subtropical China.

The spatial distributions of approximately 160 diatom taxa from surface sediments of the plateau deep–water Lugu Lake were investigated. The results exhibited a change in the sediment diatom composition with increasing water depth. The main patterns of variation, derived from a principal component analysis (PCA) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), showed that diatom community composition was divided into three depth gradients (near–shore zone; mid–depth zone; profundal deep zone). With increasing depth, the pattern of predominantly periphytic taxa in the shallow waters changed to planktonic assemblages dominated by Cyclotella ocellata, Asterionella formosa and Cyclostephanos dubius. Diatom species diversity decreased from the shallow near–shore zone to the deeper open waters. In addition, there was an increase in the ratio of planktonic to periphytic diatoms at depths >30 m. These distinct spatial patterns in diatom distribution are clear markers of current water levels within Lake Lugu and represent a benchmark for evaluating paleolimnological changes in water levels, which can be an indirect proxy of regional climate in this monsoon region of southern Asia.

HINDÁK, F. & HINDÁKOVÁ, A.: Ettliella tetraspora (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae): life cycle and taxonomy.

The morphology and mode of reproduction in Ettiella tetraspora Hindák 1988, a green coenobial alga described from the Czech Republic and Finland, were studied from the plankton of the water reservoir Förmitzspeicher in NE Bavaria, Germany. The morphology of cells and coenobia of the species in this population was in agreement with published data for the species, but its reproduction was not of the Oocystis – type as it has been declared in the relevant literature. The protoplast of mother cells does not divide simultaneously into 4 autospores as in many coccal green algae, but always in two autospores. The first division of the mother cell is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cell and two walled daughter cells arise. Subsequently, the newly formed daughter cells divide again, but this time perpendicular to the new formed cell cross wall. Ultimately, in a new coenobium all four daughter cells are arranged in parallel. Daughter cells remain inside a slightly enlarged mother cell wall (well visible only near the cross wall) and are released by its gelatinisation. Such subsequent production of four autospores from the mother cell represents a special type of multiplication in the green coccal algae known also in some other species [e.g. Tetrastrum komarekii Hindák 1977, Willea irregularis (Wille) Schmidle 1900, Makinoella tosaensis Okada 1949].

FUČÍKOVÁ, K. & LEWIS, L.A.:Intersection of Chlorella, Muriella and Bracteacoccus: Resurrecting the genus Chromochloris Kol et Chodat (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta).

Coccoid green algae generally are difficult to classify because of their depauperate morphology, and for this reason many of them have a complicated taxonomic history. In the present study we use analyses of molecular sequence data to demonstrate the close relationship of two green coccoid taxa that have undergone multiple taxonomic transfers in the past, and argue for the recognition of a distinct lineage. We resurrect the genus Chromochloris to accommodate C. zofingiensis (= Muriella zofingiensis) and we provide data regarding the lineage’s phylogenetic relationships to other chlorophyte genera, especially Bracteacoccus, Chlorella, Muriella, Mychonastes, and Pseudomuriella. In addition, we synonymize B. cinnabarinus and Bracteacoccus minutus with
C. zofingiensis, and clarify the identity of three UTEX strains heretofore listed as Bracteacoccus.

VAN GEEST, A. & COESEL, P.:Desmids from Lake Nabugabo (Uganda) and adjacent peat bogs.

In 2006 the desmid flora of Lake Nabugabo and some adjacent peat bogs was studied. All in total some 108 taxa were identified. Fourteen taxa, most of them being only known from the African continent, are discussed in detail. Six taxa are newly described: Euastrum gemmatum var. quadrituberosum, Micrasterias stuhlmannii var. nabugabonum, Cosmarium nabugabonum, Xanthidium thomassonii, Staurodesmus eckertii var. africanus and Staurastrum capitulum var. foersteri. The morphological variation found in Staurastrum longicolle is discussed in the light of possible speciation of desmids in a limnetic environment.

ŠTĚPÁNKOVÁ, J., HAŠLER, P., HLADKÁ, M. & POULÍČKOVÁ, A.:Diversity and ecology of desmids of peat bogs in the Jeseníky Mts: spatial distribution, remarkable finds.

Diversity and ecology of desmids (Zygnematophyceae) were studied within eight peat bog sites in the Jeseníky Mts during the years 2006–2009. Altogether, 51 taxa were found in the course of our investigation. A detailed study of spatial distribution of desmids in relation to environmental characteristics was performed. The composition of desmid communities was influenced especially by water table elevation and pH. Among all chemical substances measured and statistically tested, Mg, Ca and Pb concentrations appeared to have a considerable effect. Several remarkable desmid taxa were found and discussed in terms of their occurrence and broad morphological variability.

PALIŃSKA, K.A., ABED, R.M.M., WENDT, K., CHARPY, L., LOTOCKA, M. & GOLUBIĆ, S.: Opportunistic Cyanobacteria in benthic microbial mats of a tropical lagoon, Tikehau Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago: minor in natural populations, major in cultures.

Studies in microbial ecology focus on identifying field dominant microbial populations using culture–independent tools, whereas minor populations are often ignored. We characterized the cyanobacterial populations from the Tikehau Atoll lagoon, Tuamotu Archipelago, which responded to standard culturing media.
The cultivation approach recruited cryptic cyanobacterial taxa, which were not observed in the studied mats, as revealed by microscopic comparison. Twelve strains belonging to the unicellular genera (Aphanothece Nägeli, Chlorogloea Wille and Cyanocystis Borzi) and the filamentous cyanobacteria with narrow filaments (Leptolyngbya Anagnostidis et Komárek, Phormidium Küzing ex Gomont and Pseudanabaena Lauterborn) dominated the cultures. The genera Cyanocystis and Chlorogloea were genotypically characterized for the first time. Four strains assigned to Phormidium showed 100% identity using 16S rRNA sequences but additional gene analyses as well as phenotypic distinctions suggest finer differentiation within this group. Eight cyanobacterial strains out of twelve fixed dinitrogen with rates ranging from 3.3 up to 15.8 nmoles N2 μg–1 Chl–a h–1 and their nitrogen fixation ability was further confirmed by molecular detection of nifH gene. Nine strains possessed phycoerythrin, and two performed complementary chromatic adaptation. The present study documented the existence of an autochthonous subdominant cyanobacterial assemblage with variable physiological features that may enable them to replace dominant species in the microbial mats of Tikehau Atoll lagoon. These minor populations may be ecologically important, particularily in case of environmental disturbances.

KOMÁREK, J.: Nomenclatural changes in heterocytous Cyanoprokaryotes (Cyanobacteria, Cyanophytes).

The criteria for systematic classification of Cyanoprokaryota (Cyanobacteria, Cyanophyta) were changed considerably in last decades. The molecular and morphological analyses, ecological characterization and biochemical markers are indispensable premises for modern cyanobacterial taxonomic re–classification. Many genera were divided, newly described and numerous species were transferred in generic entities, characterized on the basis of molecular, ecological and revised morphological criteria. All of the proposed taxonomic changes are included in the manuscript of the recently prepared 3rd volume of “Cyanoprokaryotes” in the frame of the new edited compendium Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa” (2nd edition, volume 19/3, Heterocytous genera). The used taxonomic status of many taxa is already clearly revised in numerous modern publications, but in several cases the nomenclatural consequences were not yet validly published (new combinations, few new names of taxa). However, it is necessary to publish validly the corrected names before edition of any monographic review. The valid nomenclatural transfer of 9 species, one new name and description of two species, the changed position of which follows without doubts from the recent modern revisions, are therefore included in the present article. The validation is published in agreement with the last edition of Botanical Nomenclatoric Code (ICBN; McNeill et al., ed. 2007). All the mentioned species belong to the heterocytous monophyletic group Nostocales (or Nostochineae, respectively), and are arranged alphabetically.