A comparative study of Reimeria species (Bacillariophyceae)

A study of five Rehneria taxa was performed based on light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The new species Reimeria fontinalis Levkov sp. nov. from Lake Ohrid (Macedonia) was compared to similar taxa. R. sinuata (W.Gregory) Kociolek & Stoermer and R. avow (Hustedt) Levkov & Ector stat. nov. Rehneria fontinalis is closely related to the R. sinuata complex because of its biseriate striae and the apical pore fields that do not extend onto the valve face. The main morphometric features distinguishing R. fontinalis from other species of Reimeria [R. capitata (Cleve-Euler) Levkov & Ector comb. nov. stat. nov., R. sinuata, R. uniseriata S.E.Sala, J.M.Guerrero & Ferrario] are valve outline, size and stria density. Reimeria fontinalis is widely distributed in epipsammic diatom assemblages in Lake Ohrid and surrounding springs.