Micromorphology of Benthic Diatom Species Achnanthes alteragracillima Lange-Bert

Morphology of Achnanthes alteragracillima Lange-Bert. was studied with scanning electron microscopy in epilithic samples from the Kwang River (Kwangchun), Kyungsangbuk-Do, Korea. The species was characterized by the external raphe terminal fissure deflecting up to valve margin, the internal raphe proximal endings slightly deflecting to the opposite direction each other and biased hyaline area at the valve pole. It could be distinguished from A. minutissima K tz., closely related species, in having not straight external raphe terminal fissures, and from A. convergens H.Kob. in having a biased hyaline area at the valve pole and not a convergent striae arrangement at the pole of the raphe valve.