Tabularia variostriata M.A.Harper

Type slide

CHR 593683, Troup Picnic area, Kaiwharawhara Stream, Otari-Wilton’s Bush, Wellington, New Zealand.

Isotypes: NIWA 938.

Institution holding the type material

Allan Herbarium (CHR) Link

Two unusual diatoms from New Zealand: Tabularia variostriata a new species and Eunophora berggrenii. Link

Known distribution

New Zealand

Wellington: Troup Picnic area, Kaiwharawhara Stream, Otari-Wilton’s Bush; Taupo Swamp, Porirua (in core dated to pre-human settlement).

Wairarapa: Cape Palliser, in pools from seepage onto sandstone; Lake Wairarapa, from spume at western shoreline.

Canterbury: Lake Ellesmere; Wainono Lagoon; Kaituna Lagoon; Avon River.

Otago: Orore Point; Tomahawk Lagoon.

Etymology

Named for the distinctively variable length of the striae.

Description

Stellate colonies, usually attached to substrate. Valves linear or slightly lanceolate, protracted at poles, with parallel-subparallel margins, isopolar-lightly heteropolar, apices cuneate to rounded to somewhat rostrate, apical axis 60-200 µm, transapical axis 5-10 µm. Sternum wide with irregular sides, 1/3-1/4 narrower than valve width, occupying entire valve length. Central area not obviously differentiated from sternum. Striae 11-16 in 10 µm, punctate, extending onto mantle, parallel on valve face, slightly radiate at apices. Single rimoportule at each pole.

NOTE: abridged to satisfy the publisher's copyright requirements.

Notes

Images published online with kind permission from the British Museum of Natural History.

Funding from TFBIS (Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System), administered by the New Zealand Department of Conservation, is gratefully acknowledged.

Reference

Harper MA, Mann DG, Patterson JE 2009. Two unusual diatoms from New Zealand: Tabularia variostriata a new species and Eunophora berggrenii. Diatom Research 24: 291-306.