Diversity of silica-scaled chrysophytes (Chrysophyceae) from Mindanao Island (Philippines) with the description of Mallomonas pseudopustula sp. nov.

This study presents the first comprehensive investigation of chrysophytes from the Philippines. The flora of silica-scaled chrysophytes from freshwaters of Mindanao Island has been studied by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A total of thirty-six taxa were recorded, including three belonging to Paraphysomonas, two to Spiniferomonas, one to Lepidochromonas, twenty-nine to Mallomonas and one to Synura.

A new species, Mallomonas pseudopustula sp. nov., was discovered and described. Several unidentified Mallomonas taxa were also recorded. The flora of silica-scaled chrysophytes of the Mindanao Island is similar to the flora of neighbouring countries — Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.