Berkeleya Transfretana Sp. Nov., A New Marine Diatom From Ceuta (North Africa)

The diatom Berkeleya transfretana is described as a new species from samples collected at Playa Punta Saucino, an intertidal coastal area in Ceuta, North Africa. Its main features are the comparatively small size in relation to other Berkeleya species and the very fine and dense striae pattern (more than 40 striae per 10 mu m). The new species is here described under light and scanning electron microscopy and compared to related taxa. The benthos of these rocky beaches are interesting spots of biodiversity still to be explored.