A new Muelleria species (Bacillariophyta) from the Maritime Antarctic Region.

During a survey conducted on the soil diatom flora of newly exposed areas due to the retreat of the Ecology Glacier (King George Island, South Shetlands) an unknown Muelleria taxon was observed that could not be identified using the currently available literature. Based on detailed morphological observations using LM and SEM microscopy the unknown taxon has been described as new for science - Muelleria olechiae sp. nov. The new species is characterized in having typically bifurcated terminal raphe fissures, elongated, deflected proximal raphe endings and a lack of canal puncta. It was observed in several soil samples, but always in relatively low abundances.

Publication year:2017