Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Bolivian Altiplano: three new araphid species from the Desaguadero River draining Lake Titicaca.

Abstract

Three new araphid diatom species, Pseudostaurosira decipiens E. Morales, G. Chávez et Ector, P. sajamaensis E. Morales et Ector and Staurosira kjotsunarum E. Morales, Novais et Ector are described from a single sample taken from the Desaguadero River in the Bolivian Altiplano. These species clearly belong in their respective genera as evidenced by their morphological features studied using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pseudostaurosira decipiens is unique in its genus because of the combination of lanceolate-shaped valves with central area, well-developed spines lacking ligulae, siliceous deposits on outer and inner areolar openings similar to flaps, and the inner rounded structure of the apical pore fields. Pseudostaurosira sajamaensis is different from other species of Pseudostaurosira due to its elliptic to lanceolate valves bearing a wide central sternum, spines with developed ligulae and bilobed flaps, robust volae and reduced or absent apical pore fields. Staurosira kjotsunarum is unique within Staurosira in having elevated costae on both external and internal views, narrowly spatulate spines that hold onto areolae of neighboring valves along a chain, and striae composed of round poroids underneath the apical pore fields on the valve mantle. The three species are compared with morphologically similar taxa and a brief analysis of the richness found in the studied sample in the context of previous publications on diatoms from the Andes and contiguous regions is presented.