Lindavia cohenii Mohan & Stone, 2016

Mohan, Joseph & Stone, Jeffery R., 2016, Three novel species of Bacillariophyta (Diatoms) belonging to Aulacoseira and Lindavia from the Pliocene Hadar Formation, Afar Depression of Ethiopia, Phytotaxa 272 (4), pp. 235-247 : 240-241

Lindavia cohenii Mohan & Stone , spec. nov. ( Figs 7 , 8 )

Valve outline is circular, 11–22 μm in diameter. Valve face exhibits transverse undulation. Areola on the valve face are large (0.7–1.1 μm) in diameter and are arranged in a weakly radiate manner. Granules are present between areolae. A single fultoportula is present near the center of the valve. Spinules encompass the margin on well preserved specimens. Areolae are distributed at 6–12 per 10 μm.

Type: — ETHIOPIA. Afar Regional State: Weranso plain, 11.32535° N, 40.76491° E, 493 m a.s.l., late Pliocene lake sediment core ( HSPDP- NAW 14-1A) material, sediment depth ~ 28 m below surface, the HSPDP Northern Awash drilling team, March 2014 (holotype ANSP! GC 17187, circled specimen on slide NAW-141A-14Q-1 (51–53 cm), here illustrated as Fig. 7 : J–L).

Etymology: — Lindavia cohenii is named in honor of Dr. Andrew Cohen, University of Arizona, for his outstanding contributions to the field of paleolimnology, specifically in regards to his extensive studies of African rift lake systems.

Remarks:— Lindavia cohenii differs from L. omarensis by having a diminution size range of 11–22 μm whereas L. omarensis ranges from 7.5–36.0 μm. Well preserved specimens of L. cohenii exhibit spinules near the margin while L. omarensis has no spinules. Areolae per 10 μm are 6–12 while L. omarensis has 10–16 per 10 μm.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Diminution size series of L. cohenii (A–I). The Holotype at differing focal planes (J–L).

FIGURE 8. Scanning electron micrographs of L. cohenii. Central fultoportula arrowed (A, B).A heavily dissolved specimen (C). Isometric view of a well preserved specimen exhibiting transverse undulation, spinules arrowed (D).