A new approach for identification of the genus Paralia (Bacillariophyta) in Korea based on morphology and morphometric analyses

Paralia species have been frequently reported as P. sulcata in Korea, despite the species diversity within the genus. To understand the species diversity of Paralia in Korea, we collected phytoplankton samples at 79 sites from April 2006 to April 2015. Five Paralia species, P. fenestrata, P. guyana, P. marina, P. cf. obscura, and P. sulcata, were observed during this study, and we described their fine structure in terms of quantitative and qualitative morphological characteristics. To provide additional criteria to identify Paralia species more clearly, we morphometrically analysed four quantitative characteristics on valve diameter: pervalvar axis / diameter, internal linking spines / diameter, marginal linking spines / diameter, and fenestrae/diameter using non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS). MDS analysis distinguished four Paralia species: P. guyana, P. marina, P. cf. obscura, and P. sulcata, with the exception of P. fenestrata. This new approach in using morphometric analysis is useful for the accurate identification of Paralia species.