NOTE. NEW EUENDOLITHIC CYANOBACTERIA FROM THE BAHAMA BANK AND THE ARABIAN GULF: HYELLA RACEMUS SP. NOV.1

A new species of endolithic cyanobacteria, Hyella racemus sp. nov. (order Pleurocapsales), penetrates ooid grains in actively shaling sands in shallow (0.5-5 m) waters of the Bahama carbonate platform and the Arabian Gulf. Hyella racemus is characterized by prolific branching, resulting in dense grape-like cell clusters that penetrate the carbonate substrate. The clusters radiate inward and form deep, isodiametric pits. Resin casts of these pits are framboid (raspberry-like) in shape. The borehole morphology conforms with the shape of the endolith body and can be identified in resin-cast preparations. Cell division is by cleavage with regular alternation of division planes