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Microcostatus labrisicus sp. nov., a terrestrial species, is described from mosses growing on concrete flower beds in Gaharu Park (Sambas city, Borneo Island). Its morphology was studied with light and scanning electron microscopy revealed a set of unique morphological features. The new species differs from all other Microcostatus species by having an unusual arrangement of longitudinal depressions, positioned on both sides of sternum. They are separated by thickened fascia with the shape of a symmetric double-headed axe. A detailed morphological comparison taxa with similar morphological characteristics and additional information on the associated diatom flora is also provided.

The samples for this study were collected from terrestrial mosses and lichens growing on palm tree trunks and concrete walls in the city of Rio de Janeiro, south-eastern Brazil. During the investigation on diatom diversity, a new species from the genus Luticola was found. The new species occurred individually at all sampling sites. The aim of this paper is to provide a morphological and ecological description of Luticola minutissima sp. nov. from an aerophytic environment. The species is characterized by a small valve size (5.2–16.8 μm length and 3.7–4.4 wide) and abruptly hooked proximal raphe endings (ca. 90-degree angle). Additionally for comparison, type material of the most similar species, Luticola neglecta Zidarova, Levkov & Van de Vijver, was studied and new information for the ultrastructure of the latter species is provided as well.

Hantzschia amphioxys (Ehrenberg) Grunow (Figs 75–93) Basionym: Eunotia amphioxys (Ehrenberg1843: 413) Grunow (in Cleve & Grunow 1880: 103) Morphology of the observed population: Valves clearly dorsiventral with convex ventral side. Dorsal side distinctly concave in middle, but convex near the apices. Valve apices clearly protracted and sub-capitate. Valve dimensions (n=30): length 23.5–69.5 μm, width 4.5–5.8 μm. Width at widest part of the valve face: 4.6–5.9 μm. Unequally spaced fibulae, 5–11 in 10 μm. Each fibulae connected to 1–4 transapically costae (Figs 89, 92). Striae in middle part of the valve slightly radiate, becoming parallel toward the apices, 23–29 in 10 μm. Areolae not discernible in light microscope (45–50 in 10 μm). Distal raphe endings clearly hooked. Internally, fibulae not equidistant. Central raphe endings deflected to opposite directions. Taxonomic remarks: The observed population (Sample No. 2018/436) was characterized by longer valves comparing with other populations from the literature data (Tab. 2). Nevertheless other features including valve width, striae and areolae density as well as internal and external proximal raphe endings confirm compliance with the current morphological concept of this species., Published as part of Mateusz, Rybak, Natalia, Kochman-Kędziora & Muzaky, Luthfi Oktiyas, 2022, Four novel species from the genus Hantzschia Grunow (Bacillariophyta: Bacillariaceae) from rural areas of Southeast Asia, pp. 207-221 in Phytotaxa 567 (3) on page 217, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7156659, {"references":["Ehrenberg, C. G. (1843) Verbreitung und Einfluss des mikroskopischen Lebens in Sud-und Nord-Amerika. Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaftenzu Berlin 1841: 291 - 445.","Cleve, P. T. & Grunow, A. (1880) Beitragezur Kenntnis der arktischen Diatomeen. Kungliga Svenska vetenskaps akademien shandlingar 17: 1 - 121."]}

Hantzschia beksinskii M.Rybak, Kochman-Kędziora sp. nov. (Figs 38–45, 68–74) LM observations (Figs 38–45):— Valves distinctly dorsiventral appearing comparatively strongly silicified. Ventral margins slightly convex, dorsal margins convex in distal parts and concave in the middle. Apices protracted, rostrate and slightly deflected towards dorsal side. Valve dimensions (n=15): length 62.5–92.0 μm, width 7.5–10.5 μm in middle to 8.0–11.5 μm in widest part of valve face. Fibulae 5–6 in 10 μm, unequally spaced, middle two fibulae clearly more distant. Striae equidistant, weakly radiate in the middle, 18–21 in 10 μm. Areolae not discernible. SEM observations (Figs 68–74):— Valves on ventral side bordered by clearly thickened keel with shorted striae (with 2–3 areolae), which are separated from rest of valve face by longitudinal depression (Figs 68, 70, 74). Striae composed of round areolae occluded by individual hymenes, 35–40 in 10 µm (Figs 70, 74), forming narrow, deep, parallel grooves on valve face. Areolae near dorsal margin became more separated and not forming continuous grooves (Figs 68, 70, 74). Striae on valve mantle not forming parallel grooves, separated by not thickened virgae (Fig. 72). External central and distal raphe endings hooked (Figs 68, 70, 72). Internally, fibulae not equidistant (Fig. 69). Each fibulae connected to 1–5 transapically costae (Fig. 69). Central raphe endings deflected to same direction and clearly separated (Fig. 63). Distal raphe endings forming distinct helictoglossae (Figs 69, 71). Type:— Indonesia, Kepulauan Banda, Banda Neira, 4°30’16.98”S 129°53’57.01”E coll. date. 18 June 2018, holo - slide no. SZCZ28483! and the unmounted material with the same number at the Szczecin Diatom Collection (University of Szczecin, Poland), iso- slide no. 2018/432 and the unmounted material with the same number at the University of Rzeszow, Poland. The type population is illustrated on Figs 38–45 and 68–74. Etymology:— The species is named to honour Zdzisław Beksiński (1929–2005), a famous Polish painter, photographer and sculptor. Distribution:— So far, the species is only known from the type locality. Associated diatom flora:— The most abundant taxa in assemblage were: Hantzschia amphioxys (Ehrenberg) Grunow (in Cleve & Grunow 1880: 103), Humidophila pantropica (Lange-Bertalot) Lowe, Kociolek, Johansen, Van de Vijver, Lange-Bertalot & Kopalová (2014: 354), Pinnularia borealis Ehrenberg (1843: 420), and unidentified Adlafia sp. and Nitzschia sp. Hantzschia beksinskii sp. nov. occurred rarely in analyzed material and only few specimens were observed on each slide., Published as part of Mateusz, Rybak, Natalia, Kochman-Kędziora & Muzaky, Luthfi Oktiyas, 2022, Four novel species from the genus Hantzschia Grunow (Bacillariophyta: Bacillariaceae) from rural areas of Southeast Asia, pp. 207-221 in Phytotaxa 567 (3) on pages 215-217, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7156659, {"references":["Cleve, P. T. & Grunow, A. (1880) Beitragezur Kenntnis der arktischen Diatomeen. Kungliga Svenska vetenskaps akademien shandlingar 17: 1 - 121.","Lowe, R. L., Kociolek, P., Johansen, J. R., Van de Vijver, B., Lange-Bertalot, H. & Kopalova, K. (2014) Humidophila gen. nov., a new genus for a group of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) formerly within the genus Diadesmis: species from Hawai'i, including one new species. Diatom Research 29 (4): 351 - 360. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 0269249 X. 2014.889039","Ehrenberg, C. G. (1843) Verbreitung und Einfluss des mikroskopischen Lebens in Sud-und Nord-Amerika. Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaftenzu Berlin 1841: 291 - 445."]}

Hantzschia minima M.Rybak sp. nov. (Figs 1–15, 46–52) LM observations (Figs 1–15): — Valves dorsiventral with straight or almost straight dorsal margin. Ventral margin weakly concave in middle, becoming slightly convex near apices.Apices abruptly protracted, small and clearly capitate, slightly deflected towards dorsal side. Valve dimensions (n=20): length 17.5–38.5 μm, width 3.5–4.5 μm. Fibulae 5–8 in 10 μm, unequally spaced, middle two fibulae clearly more distant. Striae equidistant, weakly radiate in middle, 22–25 in 10 μm. In some specimens, striae in valve middle slightly more spaced than others (Figs 10, 14). Areolae not discernible. SEM observations (Figs 46–52): — Valves on the ventral side bordered by a clearly thickened keel (Figs 46, 47). Striae composed of round areolae occluded by individual hymens. 49–60 in 10 µm (Figs 47, 51). External central raphe endings slightly deflected, very close together (Fig. 51). Distal raphe endings clearly hooked (Fig. 49). Internally central raphe endings deflected to opposite directions (Fig. 52). Striae forming narrow, deep, parallel grooves (Figs 48, 52). Each fibulae connected to 1–4 transapically costae (Fig. 48). Type:— Indonesia, Kairatu, West Seram, Molouki, 3°21’46.5”S 128°22’19.48”E, coll. date. 28 June 2018, holoslide no. SZCZ28484! and the unmounted material with the same number at the Szczecin Diatom Collection (University of Szczecin, Poland), iso - slide no. 2018/445 and the unmounted material with the same number at the University of Rzeszów, Poland. The type population is illustrated on Figs 1–15 and 46–52. Etymology:— The species epithet “ minima ” refers to its small size. Hantzschia minima sp. nov. is one of the smallest species in the genus. Distribution:— So far, the species was only observed from the type locality. Associated diatom flora:— The most abundant taxa in assemblage were: Hantzschia minima sp. nov., Humidophila contenta (Grunow) Lowe, Kociolek, Johansen, Van de Vijver, Lange-Bertalot & Kopalová (2014: 357), H. lacunosa (Moser, Lange-Bertalot & Metzeltin) Lowe et al. (2014: 358), Luticola intermedia (Hustedt) Levkov, Metzeltin & Pavlov (2013: 138), L. sublagerheimii Levkov, Metzeltin & Pavlov (2013: 229) and Pinnularia borealis Ehrenberg (1843: 420). The share of Hantzschia tokarczukiana sp. nov. did not exceed 5% in the assemblages., Published as part of Mateusz, Rybak, Natalia, Kochman-Kędziora & Muzaky, Luthfi Oktiyas, 2022, Four novel species from the genus Hantzschia Grunow (Bacillariophyta: Bacillariaceae) from rural areas of Southeast Asia, pp. 207-221 in Phytotaxa 567 (3) on pages 209-212, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7156659, {"references":["Lowe, R. L., Kociolek, P., Johansen, J. R., Van de Vijver, B., Lange-Bertalot, H. & Kopalova, K. (2014) Humidophila gen. nov., a new genus for a group of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) formerly within the genus Diadesmis: species from Hawai'i, including one new species. Diatom Research 29 (4): 351 - 360. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 0269249 X. 2014.889039","Levkov, Z., Metzeltin, D. & Pavlov, A. (2013) Luticola and Luticolopsis. Diatoms of the European inland waters and comparable habitats. Diatoms of Europe 7: 1 - 698.","Ehrenberg, C. G. (1843) Verbreitung und Einfluss des mikroskopischen Lebens in Sud-und Nord-Amerika. Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaftenzu Berlin 1841: 291 - 445."]}

Hantzschia tokarczukiana M.Rybak, Kochman-Kędziora, sp. nov. (Figs 16–27, 53–60) LM observations (Figs 16–27): — Valves clearly dorsiventral with convex ventral side, in some specimens almost straight in middle. A dorsal side distinctly concave in middle, but convex near apices. Valve apices clearly protracted, rostrate or sub-capitate. Valve dimensions (n=20): length 33.5–93.0 μm, width 5.5–8.0 μm. Width at widest part of valve face: 6.0–8.0 μm. Unequally spaced fibulae, 5–8 in 10 μm, middle two clearly more distant than others. Striae in middle part of valve slightly radiate, becoming parallel to slightly curved toward apices, 17–20 in 10 μm. Areolae not discernible. SEM observations (Figs 53–60): — Valves on ventral side bordered by narrow keel (Figs 53, 54). Irregular ridges of silica present on dorsal side, near junction of valve face and mantle (Figs 53, 56, 59). Striae uniseriate, composed of round areolae occluded by individual hymens, situated in shallow, continuous groove (Figs 53–54, 58–59), 34–40 in 10 µm. Fibulae irregularly shaped. Transapically running grooves interrupted apically near keel (Figs 53, 59). External central raphe endings clearly bent, interruption in raphe slit not visible (Figs 54, 58). Distal raphe endings clearly hooked (Figs 54, 56). Internally, fibulae not equidistant (Fig. 55). Each fibulae connected to 1–4 transapically costae (Fig. 55). Central raphe endings deflected to same direction, close together (Fig. 60). Transapical striae forming narrow, deep, parallel grooves (Figs 55, 60). Type:— Indonesia, Molouki, Kairatu, 3°21’46.5”S 128°22’19.48”E, coll. date. 28 June 2018, holo - slide no. SZCZ28484! and the unmounted material with the same number at the Szczecin Diatom Collection (University of Szczecin, Poland), iso - slide no. 2018/445 and the unmounted material with the same number at the University of Rzeszow, Poland. The type population is illustrated on Figs 16–27 and 53–60. Etymology:— The species is named after Polish writer, laureate of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature Olga Tokarczuk to honour her work. Distribution:— Observed in few moss samples from West Seram. It was found in moss samples collected from various substrates and habitats like soil on cropped fields, secondary shrublands and concrete wall in city in which they form the largest population (ca. 10% share in assemblage). Associated diatom flora:— H. amphioxys (Ehrenberg) Grunow (in Cleve & Grunow 1880: 103), Hantzschia minima sp. nov., Humidophila contenta (Grunow) Lowe, Kociolek, Johansen, Van de Vijver, Lange-Bertalot & Kopalová (2014: 357), H. lacunosa (Moser, Lange-Bertalot & Metzeltin) Lowe, Kociolek, Johansen, Van de Vijver, Lange-Bertalot & Kopalová (2014: 358), H. subtropica (Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot & Garcia-Rodriguez) Lowe, Kociolek, Johansen, Van de Vijver, Lange-Bertalot & Kopalová (2014: 354), Luticola intermedia (Hustedt) Levkov, Metzeltin & Pavlov (2013: 138), L. mitis Levkov, Metzeltin & Pavlov (2013: 161) and Pinnularia borealis Ehrenberg (1843: 420)., Published as part of Mateusz, Rybak, Natalia, Kochman-Kędziora & Muzaky, Luthfi Oktiyas, 2022, Four novel species from the genus Hantzschia Grunow (Bacillariophyta: Bacillariaceae) from rural areas of Southeast Asia, pp. 207-221 in Phytotaxa 567 (3) on page 212, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7156659, {"references":["Cleve, P. T. & Grunow, A. (1880) Beitragezur Kenntnis der arktischen Diatomeen. Kungliga Svenska vetenskaps akademien shandlingar 17: 1 - 121.","Lowe, R. L., Kociolek, P., Johansen, J. R., Van de Vijver, B., Lange-Bertalot, H. & Kopalova, K. (2014) Humidophila gen. nov., a new genus for a group of diatoms (Bacillariophyta) formerly within the genus Diadesmis: species from Hawai'i, including one new species. Diatom Research 29 (4): 351 - 360. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 0269249 X. 2014.889039","Levkov, Z., Metzeltin, D. & Pavlov, A. (2013) Luticola and Luticolopsis. Diatoms of the European inland waters and comparable habitats. Diatoms of Europe 7: 1 - 698.","Ehrenberg, C. G. (1843) Verbreitung und Einfluss des mikroskopischen Lebens in Sud-und Nord-Amerika. Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaftenzu Berlin 1841: 291 - 445."]}

This paper presents the first scanning electron microscope documentation and valve ultrastructure description of the rare species Craticula vixvisibilis var. distinctior Lange-Bertalot, and a description of the new species Craticula anatoliana sp. nov. Both species occurred in high electrolyte content, brackish maar-type lakes in the Inner Anatolia region of Turkey. The most similar species to this newly described species is Craticula buderi (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot, from which it can be easily distinguished based on valve outline and striae density. Additionally, comparisons of C. vixvisiblis var. distinctior to most morphologically similar species were given based on literature data.

The research was conducted in July 2018 on six oxbow lakes of the San River. A total of 21 samples from various macrophyte species were collected. Over 400 species of diatoms were identified in the analyzed materials, 9 of which belonged to the Rhopalodiaceae family. Most of these Epithemia and Rhopalodia species developed as dominants in most of the studied samples. One of reported species – Epithemia selengaensis Vishnyakov, Kulikovskiy & Genkal was first time reported from Poland. The aim of the study was to present the taxonomic diversity of the representatives of the Rhopalodiaceae family growing different macrophyte species in oxbow lakes in the summer aspect.

The genus Nupela Vyverman & Compere comprises 81 species, which have been reported from different continents. This study presents the morphological characteristics of Nupela brevistriata sp. nov. found in moss samples collected from soil and tree bark in Southeast Asia, on the islands of Palambak and Sumatra. Light and scanning electron microscope observations are presented and a formal description is offered for the new species. Nupela brevistriata sp. nov. is characterized by the valves having very short striae, capitate apices and a large central and axial area; it occurred rarely (

Specific conditions in urban areas favour to large species richness, these are also places prone to human pressure. As a result, many studies of aquatic habitats in urban ecosystems are carried out. The aim of the study was to investigate the diversity of diatom assemblages developing in artificial environment in relation to water chemical parameters. The study was performed on a small outflow of water in south-eastern Poland, which started in the storm sewage. Water at the studied sites was characterized by alkaline pH and low content of nutrients. The values of other chemical parameters were highly variable depending on the research season. A total of 113 taxa were identified in five research seasons and most of them prefer circumneutral and fertile habitats, with a high content of biogens and are tolerant for water pollutions. In analyzed materials aerophytic and terrestrial taxa were observed in high diversity.

In this study, a total of 53 taxa were identified from 13 catchments in Turkey. Gomphonema affine var. rhombicum E.Reichardt, G. angusticephalum E.Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot, G. calcifugum Lange-Bertalot & E.Reichardt, G. elegantissimum E.Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot, G. exilissimum (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot & E.Reichardt, G. graciledictum E.Reichardt, G. italicum var. densistriatum Levkov, Mitic-Kopanja & E.Reichardt, G. linearoides Levkov, G. megolobrebissonii D.A.Chudaev, Kociolek & M.A.Golobova, G. minusculum Krasske, G. minutum f. syriacum Lange-Bertalot & Reichardt, G. reediae Levkov, Mitic-Kopanja & E.Reichardt, G. sarcophagus W.Gregory, G. subcapitatum (Grunow) E.Reichardt & Levkov and Gomphosphenia holmquistii (Foged) Lange-Bertalot were recorded for the first time in Turkey. Of the identified taxa, Didymosphenia geminata (Lyngbye) M.Schmidt, Gomphonema acuminatum Ehrenberg, G. affine Kützing, G. angustatum (Kützing) Rabenhorst, G. augur Ehrenberg, G. micropus Kützing, G. minutum (C.Agardh) C.Agardh, G. olivaceum (Hornemann) Brébisson, G. parvulum (Kützing) Kützing and G. truncatum Ehrenberg are common in the waters. G. angustius E.Reichardt, G. insignaffine Reichardt, G. insigne W.Gregory, G. italicum Kützing, G. laticollum E.Reichardt, G. pumilum var. rigidum E.Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot, G. stonei E.Reichardt, G. supertergestinum E.Reichardt and G. vibrio Ehrenberg have been recently recorded from the Turkish waters. The genus Gomphosphenia in Turkey has so far been represented only by G. grovei (M.Schmidt) Lange-Bertalot.

In this article we describe Nitzschia anatoliensis Górecka, Gastineau & Solak sp. nov., an example of a diatom species inhabiting extreme habitats. The new species has been isolated and successfully grown from the highly alkaline Van Lake in East Turkey. The description is based on morphology (light and scanning electron microscopy), the sequencing of its organellar genomes and several molecular phylogenies. This species could easily be overlooked because of its extreme similarity to Nitzschia aurariae but molecular phylogenies indicate that they are only distantly related. Furthermore, molecular data suggest that N. anatoliensis may occur in several alkaline lakes of Asia Minor and Siberia, but was previously misidentified as Nitzschia communis. It also revealed the very close genetic proximity between N. anatoliensis and the endosymbiont of the dinotom Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, providing additional clues on what might have been the original species of diatoms to enter symbiosis.

Background Rapa Nui (Easter Island = Isla de Pasqua) is of volcanic origin, best known for about 900 man-made stone statues known as moai. It is one of the most isolated inhabited islands on Earth and studies on the diatoms of Rapa Nui are very few. Methods Light (LM) and electron microscopic (SEM) observations of a single sample collected from Rapa Nui are presented. The samples (mix of soil and organic detritus) were collected from ground of cave entrance. Results The samples were characterized by low diatom diversity and strongly dominated by terrestrial (soil) forms. Among the taxa present in the material studied were cosmopolitan forms of the genera Humidophila, Nitzschia, Angusticopula, Orthoseira, Tryblionella and Luticola. Whereas most of taxa of the enumerated genera were identifiable, only one among four Luticola species distinguished in the samples studied was identified. This taxon was L. ectorii, a cosmopolitan species known previously from South America (Brazil) and Asia (China). The three remaining species could not be assigned to any established species. Therefore, based on external and internal morphological features from light and scanning electron microscopic analysis, we describe here three species new to science, including: L. georgzizkae, L. rapanuiensis and L. moaiorum. All three taxa new to science are compared to established Luticola species and their significance for the global distribution of the genus is discussed.

This paper presents the first record of Luticola vanheurckii Van de Vijver & Levkov, outside of the type locality (second record in the Europe). Authors present habitat characteristic of the species, with LM and SEM micrographs. Luticola vanheurckii was found in a small outflow of water from storm sewers in Stalowa Wola (SE Poland). Luticola vanheurckii occurred only rarely (0–5 valves per slide), in a small, shallow puddle which was supplied by the water from the outflow. This species was recorded in sediments and on plants submerged in water with a wide range of conductivity (347–22,100 μS cm−1), chloride content (64.56–6195.0 mg l−1) and sodium ions (43.04–3789.1 mg l−1). The cells observed in the examined material were slightly longer and wider than those from type locality.

The study was conducted in the old, historical park, in the northern part of Stalowa Wola city (south-eastern Poland). The aim of the study was to investigate the diversity of moss-inhabiting diatoms of the white poplar (Populus alba L.) bark. During the study, a total of 47 diatom taxa were found, of which three were considered as dominat. Three other species are mentioned in the Red List of the Algae in Poland: Achnanthes coarctata (Brébisson) Grunow, Luticola acidoclinata Lange-Bertalot and Stauroneis thermicola (Petersen) Lund. For three species: Luticola sparsipunctata Levkov, Metzeltin & Pavlov, L. vanheurckii Van de Vijver & Levkov and Hantzschia subrupestris Lange-Bertalot is the first report from Poland.

The aim of this work was to present a morphological description and ecological characteristics of a rare species from the Gomphonema genus, occurring in calcium-rich waters, along with its new occurrence sites. The research was carried out in flowing waters of mountain and sub-mountain streams and rivers in Poland: the Wołosaty, the Wisłoka, the San and their tributaries. The occurrence of many rare and new to Polish flora species from the genus Gomphonema was recorded: G. cuneolus E. Reichardt, G. drutelingense E. Reichardt, G. innocens E. Reichardt,G. lateripunctatum E. Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot, G. lippertii E. Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot and G. calcifugum Lange-Bertalot & E. Reichardt. These species occur mostly in alkaline or close-to-neutral waters with medium or low electrolytic conductivity (78–530 μS cm-1), low nutrient content and medium-to-high calcium ion content (12.4–76.4 mg l-1). Despite the rare occurrence in other parts of the world, the studied Gomphonema species has found favorable conditions in unpolluted and calcium-rich stream beds with flysch strata. The literature data define G. calcifugum as a non-calciphilous species, but this study shows that it can develop in a wide pH range and in calcium-rich waters.

Reimeria ovata (Hust.) Levkov & Ector was found during field research conducted from 2013 to 2015 on the Wołosaty stream and its selected tributaries. Valves measured in the studied material are narrower than valves described in the currently available literature and have more striae per 10 µm. Specimens of R. ovata observed under a light microscope were morphologically very similar to those of R. sinuata, particularly in the case of small individuals. The precise distinction between these two species was only possible under SEM. R. ovata has been found in cold, oligotrophic waters, highly saturated with oxygen, with alkaline or circumneutral pH, but never in large numbers. The aim of this work was to identify the new locations of R. ovata and to determine morphological and ecological characteristics of this species.

The first record of occurrence of Pinnularia subinterrupta Krammer & Schroeter in Poland with the species ecological and morphological characteristics (including scanning electron microscope details) are provided. The species was observed in the material collected from the Jamów and Tokarka streams, flowing from the areas of raised bog in the Orava Region of southern Poland. Pinnularia subinterrupta occurred in low abundance, among mosses, and always at low water pH (3.3-4.8), conductivity (28-63 mS cm-1) and temperature (3.9-9.6°C).

The Terebowiec stream is an 8 km long watercourse which flows through the strictly protected Bieszczady National Park. The studies on bentic diatoms were conducted between 2013–2015 at three sampling sites along the Terebowiec stream and its unnamed tributary. 260 diatom taxa were identified in the streams, of which 13 taxa were considered as frequent. Chemical analysis showed good and high status of the water. In the studied samples, 27 taxa from the Polish Red List of Algae were determined.

The aim of this work was to investigate the diversity of diatom assemblages developed in the Przyrwa stream, to assess water quality based on benthic diatoms and to make an attempt at the identification of physicochemical factors having the greatest impact on the differentiation of diatom assemblages. Studies were conducted in 2011-2012 on the Przyrwa stream, a left-side tributary of the Wisłok River flowing through the city of Rzeszów and with its spring section located on the borders of the city. A total of 259 diatom taxa were identified in the Przyrwa stream during three studied seasons. At all investigated sites, the most abundant population consisted of Ulnaria ulna (Nitzsch) Compère, Cocconeis pediculus Ehrenb., Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kütz.) Czarnecki var. minutissimum, Navicula gregaria Donkin, Planothidium frequentissimum (Lange-Bert.) Lange-Bert., P. lanceolatum (Brébisson) Lange-Bert., Navicula lanceolata (C. Agardh) Ehrenb., Amphora pediculus (Kütz.) Grunow, Eolimna minima, (Grunow) Lange-Bert., Melosira varians C. Agardh and Cyclotella meneghiniana Kütz. Based on IPS (Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index) and GDI (Generic Diatom Index) indices, the ecological status of the Przyrwa stream was assessed as moderate to poor (mostly III-IV class of water quality), while the TDI (Trophic Diatom Index) index indicated a poor to bad ecological status (mainly IV-V class of water quality).

This paper presents the first record of Luticola vanheurckii Van de Vijver & Levkov, outside of the type locality (second record in the Europe). Authors present habitat characteristic of the species, with LM and SEM micrographs. Luticola vanheurckii was found in a small outflow of water from storm sewers in Stalowa Wola (SE Poland). Luticola vanheurckii occurred only rarely (0–5 valves per slide), in a small, shallow puddle which was supplied by the water from the outflow. This species was recorded in sediments and on plants submerged in water with a wide range of conductivity (347–22,100 μS cm−1), chloride content (64.56–6195.0 mg l−1) and sodium ions (43.04–3789.1 mg l−1). The cells observed in the examined material were slightly longer and wider than those from type locality.

During a survey conducted on the freshwater diatom flora of small shallow pools on the Ecology Glacier forefield (King George Island, Maritime Antarctic Region), an unknown spine-bearing chain-forming Pinnularia species, belonging to the Pinnularia borealis species complex, was found. Although it closely resembles the recently described Pinnularia catenaborealis from James Ross Island and Vega Island (Antarctic Peninsula), a unique set of morphological characteristics revealed in both light and scanning electron microscopy clearly discriminates the specimens of King George Island as a new species. Pinnularia subcatenaborealis Kochman-Kędziora, Pinseel & Van de Vijver sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. catenaborealis by an overall smaller valve size, the presence of irregularly formed silica outgrowths on the mantle and small, irregular plates located near the apices. The new taxon is so far only recorded from a small pool with circumneutral pH and very low conductivity.

Studies were carried out in 2016 on a water outflow from a sewer drain, in the city of Stalowa Wola located in south-eastern Poland. The research material was collected from sediments being accumulated on the asphalt on which the water was flowing. Water from the studied outflow was characterized as alkaline to strongly alkaline pH (7.9–9.8), high to very high content of chlorides and sodium ions, and high electrolytic conductivity (331–13 250 µS cm-1). In the analyzed material, an unknown species of Stauroneis was found. The aim of this paper is to give a morphological and ecological description of Stauroneis saprophila sp. nov. from an anthropogenic environment.