Preliminary molecular phylogeny of the diatom genus Nupela with the description of a new species and consideration of the interrelationships of taxa in the suborder Neidiineae D.G. Mann sensu E.J. Cox

Abstract

Molecular investigation of genera Nupela and Brachysira is conducted using strains from Indonesia and Vietnam. New species from the genus Nupela indonesica sp. nov. is described using combined approach. Nupela lesothensis (Schoeman) Lange-Bertalot is investigated using molecular data too. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Nupela and Brachysira are not closest genera. Morphology of Nupela and it differences from Brachysira is discussed. The genus Nupela is differs from all other diatom taxa by having coalescent hymenes ouside of areolae but not inside. Facultative development of raphe between different Nupela species is discussed.