Original paper

Three new planktic Staurastrum taxa (Chlorophyta, Desmidiaceae) from eutrophic water bodies and the significance of microspecies in desmid taxonomy

Coesel, Peter F. M.; Joosten, Anton M. T.

Abstract

Three planktic species of Staurastrum are newly described from the Netherlands: S. bloklandiae spec. nov., S. hollandicum spec. nov. and S. micronoides spec. nov. So far, they have only been recorded from eutrophic water bodies. Their taxonomic affinities, habitat characteristics and distribution patterns are dealt with. The allied taxon S. iversenii Nygaard var. americanum Scott et Grönblad is renamed as S. pseudolevanderi nom. nov. et stat. nov. The significance of microspecies in desmid taxonomy is discussed.

Keywords

Green algae • desmids • Staurastrum microspecies • plankton