New Araphid Species Of The Genus Pseudostaurosira (Bacillariophyceae) From Southern Patagonia

We describe five new araphid diatom species belonging to the genus Pseudostaurosira. These new taxa were found in modern and fossil material collected from five southern Patagonian waterbodies (49-52 degrees S), four from the Santa Cruz province, Argentina and one from the Magallanes Region, Chile. When observed under light and scanning electron microscopy, each species differs by a single or a combination of valve character(s). Pseudostaurosira australopatagonica sp. nov. has unique volae that are profusely, dichotomously branched, internally anastomosed, and affixed to the virgae. Pseudostaurosira hyalopatagonica sp. nov. has fusiform valves with cuneate, elongate ends, narrow valves and round to slightly elliptical areolae. Pseudostaurosira catalinae sp. nov. has broadly fusiform valves with cuneate to subrostrate ends; volae form a circular to elliptical ring at the centre of the areolar opening and, externally covering the mantle areolae, it has a watch glass-like flap. Pseudostaurosira tehuelcheana sp. nov. has lanceolate valves with broadly rounded apices, solid incipient conical spines and marginal, transapically elongate areolae occluded by profusely branched volae. Pseudostaurosira zolitschkae sp. nov. is a relatively large-valve species with subrostrate apices, hollow spines, marginal areolae sometimes separated by a thin vimen. The volae in this latter, new taxon, only originate from a position parallel to the transapical axis of the valve, an origin that is uncommon within the genus. We discuss the validity of describing species based on morphological data and highlight the importance of increasing taxonomic resolution on isolated regions such as Patagonia.