Pseudo-nitzschia batesiana

From Lim et al.

Cells are lanceolate and symmetrical in valve view and linear-lanceolate in girdle view; with 1/10 of cells overlapping in girdle view. A large central interspace with a central nodule is present. Cells are 84-86 µm long and 1.8-2.2 µm wide. The valve apices are rounded. One row of poroids is found in each stria, with 5-6 poroids in 1 µm. The poroid hymens are divided into 2-3 sectors. The density of fibulae and striae is 15-19 and 29-32, respectively, in 10 µm; fibulae are irregularly spaced. Cingulum comprised of three girdle bands, i.e., valvocopula, second and third band. The density of band striae in the valvocopula is 40-43 in 10 µm. Valvocopula striae are biseriate and 3-4 poroids high . Band striae of the second band are biseriate and two poroids high, and a single longitudinal row of poroids are seen in the third band. The perforation pattern is hexagonal.

Pseudo-nitzschia batesiana has been observed in the Strait of Malacca

Pseudo-nitzschia batesiana is a chain-forming, pennate, marine diatom.

P. batasiana has presently been found in Malaysian waters

A strain from Borneo has been found to produce domoic acid (0.20 fg per cell)

P. batesiana is among species in the morphological P. pseudodelicatissima complex, characterised by the low density of insterstriae (29-32 in 10 µm). It most closely resembles P. cuspidata, P. pseudodelicatissima and P. fryxelliana, but differs from these because of a lower density in interstriae, fibulae and band striae. Verified accession number: LSU rDNA: KC147534 ITS rDNA: KC147514 Electron microscopy or molecular sequences are needed for correct identification.