Transfer of <i>Staurosira grunowii</i> to <i>Staurosirella</i>

Abstract

The new combination Staurosirella grunowii (Pantocsek) E. Morales, Buczkó & Ector comb. nov. is presented based on a detailed analysis of fossil material from Lutila, Slovakia using light and scanning electron microscopy. The species is widely known as Staurosira harrisonii var. amphitetras Grunow. Striae bearing well-developed vimines delimiting typically long areolae, thick virgae-bearing spines, developed apical pore fields composed of simple round poroids and open girdle bands with valvocopula-bearing fimbriae are some of the features that link this taxon to species currently ascribed to Staurosirella D.M. Williams & Round. The taxon is readily distinguished by its tetra-angular shape, which is not seen in any other species within this genus. An analysis of the morphology of this taxon together with its nomenclatural history is presented herein.