Madinithidium gen. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new monoraphid diatom genus from the tropical marine coastal zone

We studied a group of monoraphid diatom species (Bacillariophyceae, Achnanthidiaceae) found in the marine coastal environment of tropical islands of the Caribbean Sea, western Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. Based on light and electron microscope examination, Madinithidium was formally described as a genus new to science with the generitype defined as Madinithidium undulatum. The characteristic features of the valve structure are a strongly developed sternum and raphe sternum, transapical striae formed by a single areola (macroareolae) positioned in small depressions, elevated virgae and coaxial internal central raphe endings. Furthermore, the striae of both raphe and sternum valves are closed by finely perforated hymenes. Madinithidium and Achnanthidium species are difficult to identify correctly with light microscopy since their valves are small and finely structured. Four species recently described from the western Indian Ocean and assigned to Achnanthidium sensu lato - Achnanthidium capitatum, A. flexuistriatum, A. pseudodelicatissimum and A. scalariforme - possessed morphological features permitting their placement into Madinithidium gen. nov. The above-mentioned species were formally transferred to the new genus.