Planothidium pseudolinkei sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta), a new marine monoraphid diatom species from the coast of Guangxi, China

A new marine monoraphid diatom species, <i>Planothidiumpseudolinkei</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, is described from the coast of Guangxi, China. The detailed morphology of this epipsammic diatom is studied by using both light and scanning electron microscopy. <i>P.pseudolinkei</i> differs from congeners by a combination of morphological features including capitate apices, multiseriate striae, a small central area on the raphe valve and an oblong sinus on the rapheless valve. Ecological preferences of <i>Planothidium</i> are also briefly discussed.