Morphology and Taxonomy of Marine Benthic Diatoms (14), Genus Luticola (Diadesmidaceae, Naviculales) (Part 2)

Abstract

The fine structure of a benthic diatom Luticola tropica (Hustedt) Levkov, Metzeltin & A.Pavlov was examined using both light and electron microscopy. The following morphological features of this species are first revealed in detail through the present study. The areola is occluded by a hymen with perforations arranged in a regular scatter pattern. The mature cingulum consisting of four girdle bands, opens at one pole, divided into two types: a valvocopula with two rows of areolae, has a crenulated edge (pars interior) fitting on top of valve ribs; three copulae with ligulae are thinner than valvocopula.