Seosaineella

Seosaineella is a genus of diatoms in the phylum Bacillariophyta. It comprises several marine species that occupy shallow coastal waters and estuaries. The genus is characterized by slender, boat-shaped valves with fine, regularly spaced striae that run obliquely to the valve margin. The raphe is linear and centered, which supports the motility typical of pennate diatoms.

Species and distribution: The type species Seosaineella marina was described from the Mediterranean and is found widely in temperate coastal seas. Other described members include Seosaineella littoralis and Seosaineella atlanticus, reported from European and Atlantic shelf waters. Habitat ranges from sheltered bays to exposed shores, with attachments to sediment grains, macroalgae, or seagrass blades.

Ecology and biology: Like most diatoms, Seosaineella species perform photosynthesis and contribute to coastal primary production and silica cycling. They reproduce asexually by rapid cell division, allowing swift population growth; sexual reproduction can occur under nutrient stress, producing auxospores that restore cell size and maintain genetic diversity.

Taxonomy and name: The genus was established to group several morphologically similar diatoms previously placed in other genera. The name combines a reference to the sea with a diminutive suffix commonly used in diatom taxonomy, reflecting its small to medium size and marine habit.

Importance: Seosaineella serves as a potential indicator in marine bioassessment and paleoenvironmental studies because diatoms preserve well in sediments and respond to changes in salinity, nutrient availability, and disturbance. Further research would clarify species boundaries and ecological roles in different coastal systems.