Tursiocola podocnemicola sp. nov., a new epizoic freshwater diatom species from the Rio Negro in the Brazilian Amazon Basin

Tursiocola podocnemicola sp. nov. is described from the Amazonian Rio Negro Basin in Brazil where it was found living epizoically on the carapaces of the freshwater turtle Podocnemis erythrocephala Spix. The detailed morphology of this epizoic diatom is examined using both light and scanning electro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Diatom research 2012-03, Vol.27 (1), p.1-8
Main Authors: Wetzel, Carlos E., Van de Vijver, Bart, Cox, Eileen J., Bicudo, Denise de C., Ector, Luc
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Amazon Basin
Bacillariophyceae
Brazil
diatoms
epizoic algae
Freshwater
freshwater turtles
Plankton
Podocnemis erythrocephala
Reptiles & amphibians
Tursiocola podocnemicola
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Summary:Tursiocola podocnemicola sp. nov. is described from the Amazonian Rio Negro Basin in Brazil where it was found living epizoically on the carapaces of the freshwater turtle Podocnemis erythrocephala Spix. The detailed morphology of this epizoic diatom is examined using both light and scanning electron microscopy and compared with similar species of the genera Tursiocola Holmes, Nagasawa & Takano and Epiphalaina Holmes, Nagasawa & Takano. Specimens of this epizoic diatom belong to the genus Tursiocola, characterized by the presence of extensive pseudosepta, covering part of the apices and continuing along the mantle margin to merge with the stauros, uniseriate striae and two knob-like structures between the internal central raphe endings. However, the new species has a different external raphe structure when compared with all other species described from the mentioned genera, with unilaterally, strongly deflected, proximal raphe endings. The ecology and possible origin of the species on the Amazonian turtle's carapace is briefly discussed.
ISSN:0269-249X
2159-8347
DOI:10.1080/0269249X.2011.642498