Discovery of a new moss-associated diatom species, Humidophila caribaea (Bacillariophyceae: Diadesmidaceae), from terrestrial habitats of the Monts Caraïbes, Guadeloupe

During the investigation of diatom diversity of terrestrial moss samples collected on Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, French West Indies, a new species of the genus Humidophila (Lange-Bertalot & Werum) Lowe et al. was observed. The species occurred in only one sample collected from tropical, mesophytic forests in the Monts Caraïbes and could not be identified based on the literature data. Based on the set of morphological features the species is described herein as Humidophila caribaea sp. nov. The species is characterized by the small valve size, typical for the Humidophila genus, but it has a unique morphology of the areolae with small silica warts in their lumen. Additionally, a comparison with most similar taxa known worldwide, as well as ecological notes are provided.