Morphology of Peridiniopsis elpatiewskyi (Ostenfeld) Bourrelly (Dinophyceae) found for the first time in Chilean inland waters

Abstract

Peridiniopsis elpatiewskyi (Ostenfeld) Bourrelly is reported for the first time from Chilean inland waters, it is a species with a wide geographical distribution but rarely reported from South America. The species was found in Laguna Lo Méndez (VIII Region) and it was observed and recorded under light and scanning electron microscopy. The plate formula is Po, X, 4´, 7´´, 6C, 5S, 5´´´, 2´´´´. Its main morphological features are described, and the differences between Chilean specimens and those from the literature are discussed. We confirm the preference of this taxon for eutrophic waters with alkaline pH.