Morphological studies on type material of widely cited araphid diatoms (Bacillariophyta)

Abstract

:We analysed syntype material of Odontidium harrisonii W. Smith, Odontidium mutabile W. Smith, Odontidium tabellaria W. Smith, Odontidium tabellaria var. β W. Smith, Odontidium parasiticum W. Smith, Odontidium parasiticum var. β W. Smith and Fragilaria brevistriata Grunow in Van Heurck. A combination of light and scanning electron microscopy revealed that taxonomic drift led to currently misconstrued concepts of many of these taxa. Preservation of type materials allowed morphological study of each taxon in detail. The following new combinations, new names and new statuses are presented: Staurosirella harrisonii (W. Smith) E. Morales & C.E. Wetzel comb. nov., Staurosirella mutabilis (W. Smith) E. Morales & Van de Vijver comb. nov. and Pseudostaurosira smithii E. Morales & Ector nom. nov. stat. nov. Nomenclatural and ecological discussions, based on historical and current literature, are presented for each taxon. The study of type materials is a necessary task in order to improve current databases used for taxonomic and ecological purposes, and such a study should be an essential component of large-scale palaeo or neo-limnological research programs.