Fottea, 2017 (vol. 17), issue 1

Original article

Selenastraceae (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyceae): rbcL, 18S rDNA and ITS-2 secondary structure enlightens traditional taxonomy, with description of two new genera, Messastrum gen. nov. and Curvastrum gen. nov.

Thaís Garcia da Silva, Christina Bock, Célia Leite Sant'Anna, Inessa Lacativa Bagatini, Sabina Wodniok, Armando Augusto Henriques Vieira

Fottea 2017, 17(1):1-19 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.010

The phylogeny of the family Selenastraceae was investigated by light microscopy, 18S rDNA, rbcL and ITS-2 analyses. Various morphological features traditionally used for species and genera identification were investigated. All selenastracean strains studied have naked pyrenoids within the chloroplast, except the genus Chlorolobion, which presented starch envelope. The molecular analyses showed that no morphological criterion considered so far is significant for the systematics of the Selenastraceae, but a set of features may be suitable to identify the genera Ankistrodesmus and Chlorolobion. Phylogenetic analyses showed...

Taxonomic status of Chara tenuspina A. Br. (Streptophyta: Charales) based on LM morphology, matK, atpB and rbcL of cpDNA sequences

Jacek Urbaniak^*, Michał Combik

Fottea 2017, 17(1):20-33 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.011

Chara tenuispina A. Br. is an extremely rare species of the genus Chara L., which inhabits freshwater and shaded, shallow water environments on calcareous peat bogs, as compared to C. globularis Thuill., which is a widespread species. To re-examine the taxonomic system proposed by Wood & Imahori (1965), who treated C. tenuispina as a variety of C. globularis, we studied the morphology of both species, as well as their phylogenetic relationships, based on three cpDNA gene sequences (atpB, matK, rbcL). In general, the species do not differ significantly in their general appearance, but...

Reinvestigation of African Surirella taxa (Bacillariophyta) described by B.J. Cholnoky with some remarks on digitization of diatom types

Christine Cocquyt, Jonathan C. Taylor, Wolf-Henning Kusber

Fottea 2017, 17(1):34-56 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.012

Cholnoky described several new Surirella taxa from Africa and we have re-investigated this material. As many other of his contemporary authors, especially in the case of description of new African diatoms, Cholnoky did not indicate holotypes. In the present paper original materials are re-evaluated, lectotypes and a holotype are designated and also epitypes whenever it was appropriate. Taxa later transferred to Stenopterobia have not been taken into account. A short description of the seven species concerned (Surirella anassae, S. chasei, S. coei, S. oliffii, S. ostentata = Surirella ovata var....

Biogeography and morphology of a poorly known Sellaphora species

Éva Ács, Carlos E. Wetzel, Krisztina Buczkó, Keve T. Kiss, Katalin Nagy, Zsuzsa Trábert, Angéla Földi, Virág Pozderka, Petra Werner, David Heudre, Luc Ector

Fottea 2017, 17(1):57-64 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.021

Specimens of a very small diatom were found in a dead oxbow of Tisza River (Hungary), in Eula River (Germany) and Parroy Pond (France). After SEM studies we identified all of them as Eolimna archibaldii J.C. Taylor et Lange-Bert., which is currently regarded as endemic species to South Africa. Furthermore, the results of Principal Components Analysis of morphometric characters clearly demonstrated an overlap between the type material and European populations. Therefore this diatom cannot be considered endemic to South Africa. Moreover, E. archibaldii and a very similar species, E. becaresii are transferred to the genus Sellaphora....

Two new species of Achnanthidium Kützing (Bacillariophyceae) from Kolli Hills, Eastern Ghats, India

Balasubramanian Karthick, Jonathan C. Taylor, Paul B. Hamilton

Fottea 2017, 17(1):65-77 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.020

Two new freshwater species of Achnanthidium Kützing are described from Eastern Ghats Mountain range of Peninsular India based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations. Achnanthidium initium sp. nov. belongs to the group of Achnanthidium taxa that have terminal raphe fissures curved to opposite sides of the valve. This taxon is characterized by distinctive fascia, raphe endings extending to the valve margin, lineate distal raphe endings and 2-5 linear areola per striae. Achnanthidium linannulum sp. nov. belongs to the group of Achnanthidium taxa with terminal raphe fissures curved to the same side of...

Problems of epitypification in morphologically simple green microalgae: a case study of two widespread species of Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiophyceae, Streptophyta)

Fabio Rindi, David Ryšánek, Pavel Škaloud

Fottea 2017, 17(1):78-88 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.017

The extensive genetic cryptic diversity revealed by molecular studies in many green microalgae has caused great uncertainties in the circumscription of some species described on strictly morphological grounds. These uncertainties should be resolved by obtaining molecular data from type materials, but this procedure is not feasible in many species because the type specimens are illustrations, or too small or poorly preserved to obtain DNA sequence data. In these situations, the selection of an epitype is often a mandatory requirement to define the identity of a species and establish unambiguously its position in molecular phylogenies. In this study...

Remarkable desmid species from the southern Patagonian highlands

Peter F.M. Coesel, Sol Porcel, Alfred Van Geest, Irina Izaguirre

Fottea 2017, 17(1):89-95 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.019

Phytoplankton research in a number of shallow lakes in southern Patagonia revealed the occurrence of three noteworthy Cosmarium species. One of them, Cosmarium decussare Brook et Williamson, found only once before in Antarctica, is remarkable for its highly asymmetric cell morphology. The other two species, Cosmarium chapuense and Cosmarium mickeyoides, striking by an unusual cell shape, are described as new to science. Ecological and biogeographical characteristics are discussed.

Rediscovery of Tetraëdriella subglobosa Pascher, a member of the Eustigmatophyceae

Marvin W. Fawley, Karen P. Fawley

Fottea 2017, 17(1):96-102 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.018

An algal strain from an acidic pool near the shore of Lake Mácha, Czech Republic, was identified as Tetraëdriella subglobosa Pascher by light microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear 18S rDNA and plastid rbcL sequence data indicated that this alga is a member of the Eustigmatophyceae, rather than the Xanthophyceae as presently classified. This is the first report of T. subglobosa since Pascher's description of the species in 1930.

Eunotia enigmatica sp. nov., a new planktonic diatom from Brazil and the transfer of Fragilaria braunii Hustedt to the genus Peronia (Bacillariophyceae)

Lívia F. Costa, Carlos E. Wetzel, Luc Ector, David M. Williams, Denise C. Bicudo

Fottea 2017, 17(1):103-113 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.023

Eunotia is a diatom genus characterized by a short raphe system restricted to both valve poles and by the presence of rimoportulae. As part of a survey examining the genus, Eunotia enigmatica sp. nov. is described from ultra oligo- to oligotrophic and slightly acidic reservoirs in São Paulo State, southeast Brazil. The species is unusual in having a short distinct raphe, and a 'fragilarioid' appearance with long cells and marginal spines. It was commonly found in the planktonic community as well as on sediments of the studied reservoirs. It seems to be adapted to an open water existence, and is similar to E. croatana...

A revision of the genus Geitlerinema and a description of the genus Anagnostidinema gen. nov. (Oscillatoriophycidae, Cyanobacteria)

Otakar Strunecký, Markéta Bohunická, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Kateřina Čapková, Lenka Raabová, Petr Dvořák, Jiří Komárek

Fottea 2017, 17(1):114-126 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2016.025

The simple filamentous cyanobacterial genus Geitlerinema is heterogeneous. At least two distinct phylogenetic clades can be derived from the set of most common freshwater Geitlerinema species. Our revision is based on the original description of the type species G. splendidum aka Oscillatoria spendida and on molecular sequencing of morphologically relevant strains. The revised Geitlerinema contains only one species according to morphological similarity with its original description. Consequently, the majority of other freshwater species inferred from molecular sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S ITS analysis (related...

Tritium influence on morphology, reactive oxygen species production and catalase gene expression in Pseudendoclonium basilense and Stigeoclonium nanum (Chlorophyta)

Petr Hašler, Vladan Ondřej, Michaela Švécarová, Michaela Sedlářová, Barbora Vaidová, Aloisie Poulíčková

Fottea 2017, 17(1):127-135 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2017.012

The response of two strains of Pseudendoclonium basilense Vischer and Stigeoclonium nanum (Dillwyn) Kützing to ionizing radiation was studied under laboratory conditions. Both strains were isolated as epiphytic from stagnant water bodies under ambient levels of ionizing radiation and cultivated under laboratory conditions on a gradient of tritiated water diluted in liquid Bold´s basal medium. Exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation stimulated changes in cell dimensions and morphology of in both strains and catalase gene expression in Pseudendoclonium basilense. Moreover, the addition of tritiated water stimulated production...

Personalia

Doyen of Czech phycology

Jaromír Lukavský

Fottea 2017, 17(1)

RNDr. Oldřich Lhotský turned 90 this year, and therefore the Czech Botanical Society named him an honorary member, in recognition of his lifelong work in the field of phycology. He is already an honorary member of the Czech Limnological Society and holder of the Holuby medal of the Slovak Botanical Society. His journey to the Institute of the Academy of Sciences was far from easy.

In memoriam - RNDr. Josef Nečas CSc.

Jiří Komárek