New species of freshwater diatoms from acidic localities along the Atlantic Coastal Plain of the United States

Abstract

During our investigations of freshwater sites along the Atlantic Coastal Plain of North America we had the opportunity to critically study five interesting diatoms with light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), each of which is described here as a new species. Two of the organisms are in the genus Eunotia , Eunotia lewisii Siver & Hamilton sp. nov. and Eunotia quadra Siver & Hamilton sp. nov.; two in Frustulia , Frustulia crispula Siver, Pelczar, & Hamilton sp. nov. and Frustulia inculta Siver, Pelczar, & Hamilton sp. nov.; and the last is Neidium trainori Siver & Hamilton sp. nov. All five species are reported from acidic, poorly buffered, dilute waterbodies high in dissolved humic substances. Two of the taxa are found in suites of waterbodies in close geographic proximity, two in somewhat disjunct regions, and the fifth is only known from the type locality. The relationships of each taxon to similar species are discussed.