Mallomonas Camerunensis Sp. Nov. (Chrysophyceae, Stramenopiles) From A Shallow Puddle In The Guineo-Congolian Rainforest (Cameroon)

A new silica-scaled chrysophyte species, Mallomonas camerunensis J. Piątek, is described and illustrated from a shallow puddle in the Guineo-Congolian rainforest in Cameroon. This species belongs to section Papillosae and series Papillosa. It is similar to other Mallomonas species placed in Papillosa, such as M. binocularis Siver, M. calceolus D. E. Bradley, M. delanciana Siver, M. kalinae Řezáčová, M. papillosa K. Harris & D. E. Bradley, M. paxillata (D. E. Bradley) L. Ş. Péterfi & Momeu, M. rasilis Dürrschm. and M. tropica Dürrschm. & Croome, but differs from them in several morphological characters warranting recognition as a distinct species. The dome of M. camerunensis is clearly delimited and ornamented with papillae and ribs. The scales lack an anterior submarginal rib, while the posterior rim and V-rib are smooth and unornamented. The shield is thickly ornamented with papillae (18–22 papillae per scale width). The species is described and illustrated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.