Three New Nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae) Species from Highly Acidic Artificial Lakes in Çanakkale, Türkiye

Çanakkale is located in Western Anatolia, a region known for extensive mining in the country. In this study, three new species: Nitzschia arslaniana sp. nov., Nitzschia efeiana sp. nov., and Nitzschia szaboiana sp. nov. are described from highly acidic environments in Çanakkale. In morphology, Nitzschia arslaniana is similar to Nitzschia inconspicua but Nitzschia inconspicua is broader, with a lower fibulae density. Nitzschia efeiana is similar to Nitzschia. bremensis, Nitzschia capitellata, Nitzschia homburgiensis, Nitzschia hybrida, Nitzschia palustris, and Nitzschia pellucida. However, Nitzschia efeiana has variable fibulae widths, thickened virgae on its external valve face, and an elevated ridge on the valve margin opposite the keel. Nitzschia szaboiana is similar to Nitzschia pusilla, but the later taxon has a higher striae density. This study highlights the unique species diversity of extreme environments, including anthropogenic extreme environments, by describing three new taxa in the same genus.