Morphology and ecology of Achnanthidium caravelense (Bacillariophyceae), a new species from Portuguese rivers

A new benthic freshwater diatom species belonging to the genus Achnanthidium Kütz. has been recorded from several watercourses in the North of Portugal. Achnanthidium caravelense Novais et Ector is described as a new species based on light and scanning electron microscopic observations, as well as on its ecological preferences as reconstructed from field observations. The most characteristic morphological features of this species are the different outline of the raphe valve (narrowly elliptic with linear margins) and the rapheless valve (narrowly elliptic to narrowly rhombic with moderately convex margins), the non-protracted broadly rounded apices and the length/width ratio. Furthermore, the areolae of the single row along the mantle are elongated and are more or less widely open, which is a characteristic discernible in girdle view under light microscopy. The species that A.caravelense resembles most is A. eutrophilum (Lange-Bert.) Lange-Bert.; nevertheless it can be distinguished from the latter by the different raphe valve outline, its higher valve length/width ratio and autecology. A. caravelense is common and abundant in soft waters with low to moderate nutrient content in the North of Portugal

A new common species Achnanthidium caravelense (Bacillariophyceae) discovered in the rivers of North of Portugal

Achnanthidium caravelense Novais et Ector is described as a new species based on light and scanning electron microscopic observations, as well as on its ecological preferences as reconstructed from field observations (Novais et al. 2011). The most characteristic morphological features of this species are the different outline of the raphe valve (narrowly elliptic with linear margins) and the rapheless valve (narrowly elliptic to narrowly rhombic with moderately convex margins), the non-protracted broadly rounded apices and the length/width ratio. Furthermore, the areolae of the single row along the mantle are elongated and are more or less widely open, which is a characteristic discernible in girdle view under light microscopy. A comparison with the morphologically similar species Achnanthes standeri Cholnoky, A. taiaensis J. R. Carter, Achnanthidium affine (Grunow) Czarn., A. eutrophilum (Lange-Bert.) Lange-Bert., A. exile (Kütz.) Round et Bukht. and A. minutissimum (Kütz.) Czarn. revealed that the species that A. caravelense resembles most is A. eutrophilum. Nevertheless it can be distinguished from the latter by the different raphe valve outline, its higher valve length/width ratio and ecological preferences. Achnanthidium caravelense is characterized by a set of distinct morphological and ecological features that separate it well from all other similar Achnanthidium species and it is common and abundant in soft water rivers with low to moderate nutrient content in the North of Portugal. There is therefore a rather high probability that this species also occurs in other European countries in rivers with suitable conditions but this Achnanthidium has not yet been recorded due to probable misidentifications with A. eutrophilum or A. minutissimum

Relationships between benthic diatom assemblages’ structure and selected environmental parameters in Slovak water reservoirs (Slovakia, Europe)

The main objective of the present study is to describe the structure of benthic diatom communities in 23 water reservoirs in Slovakia classified as heavily modified water bodies. Environmental variables together with biological data obtained during the routine biomonitoring of water reservoirs in Slovakia were explored and analysed to understand variability of benthic diatom communities and their relationships with environmental variables in order to obtain an integrated knowledge about their relevance as bioindicators for the Water Framework Directive-compliant ecological potential assessment. This study summarizes results from a four-year monitoring programme of water reservoirs surveyed during the period of 2011–2014. The performed survey and statistical analyses revealed the following: (i) two main groups of reservoirs could be distinguished based on the purpose of their main use (multipurpose or drinking water-supply use); (ii) multipurpose and drinking water-supply reservoirs differed in benthic diatom community structure, diatom water quality indices as well as in the principal environmental gradients structuring the diatom communities; (iii) 5 distinct sub-groups of reservoirs could be identified differing in terms of diatom species composition and several environmental parameters; (iv) the most significant environmental variables in explaining differences in diatom species composition in multipurpose reservoirs were mean depth and mean annual flow; in drinking water-supply reservoirs conductivity and water transparency

Morphological abnormalities of diatom silica walls in relation to heavy metal contamination and artificial growth conditions

Teratological forms of diatoms are non-adaptive phenotypic abnormalities caused by various environmental stresses. Heavy metal contamination and artificial growth conditions are the best known causes. In fact, the recording of abnormal cells in a diatom population or community can give both a temporal and quantitative indication of heavy metal contaminationof water bodies. Moreover, long-term cultures generally present a high percentage of abnormal cells due to the scarcity of nutrients, presence of waste products and osmotic pressure. The aim of this paper is to classify and provide photographic documentation and descriptions of all known teratologies occurring in the most widespread freshwater diatom genera