Gomphonema novo‐zelandicum sp. nov., an epiphytic diatom with a specific host preference

Abstract Gomphonema novo‐zelandicum sp. nov., the dominant epiphytic diatom on Carpophyllum maschalocarpum and C. flexuosum, growing in the sublittoral fringe zone in northern New Zealand, is described and its taxonomic status determined. This diatom, although present on other macroalgae from the same zone, is predominantly epiphytic on these 2 species of Carpophyllum, maintaining substantial populations on them throughout the year.