Abstrakt
A revision of taxa from the genus Surirella from the Antarctic region resulted in the description of three new taxa: S. subantarctica Van de Vijver & Cocquyt sp. nov., S. heardensis Van de Vijver & Cocquyt sp. nov. and S. australovisurgis Van de Vijver, Cocquyt, Zidarova & Kopalov sp. nov. Detailed light (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations are used to characterize these three new taxa.
Comparisons with similar taxa and the ecological preferences of each species are added. The morphological characteristics of a fourth Antarctic Surirella taxon, S. kerguelensis Grunow are illustrated as this taxon was only known from a few hand drawings and LM pictures.
Finally, a fifth taxon, S. lapponica A. Cleve was found on South Georgia and likewise illustrated.
The revision of these species made clear that the genus Surirella showed similar biogeographical trends as other, previously revised genera indicating that a distinct Antarctic diatom flora exists.