Identity and typification of Navicula hasta (Bacillariophyceae)

The name Navicula hasta is regularly applied to large, heavily silicified Navicula specimens with lanceolate outlines, protracted ends, and relatively coarse, radiate, and lineolate striae that are more irregularly spaced around the central area. As such, Navicula hasta has been reported from numerous localities such as brackish water fossil sediments, oligotrophic ancient lakes and postglacial lakes. When the data for distribution of Navicula hasta are summarized, this species appears to be geographically and temporally widespread with a broad range of ecologic tolerances. Published reports for size range show that diatomists during the last century have differing concepts of the species starting with the disagreement between the protologue and one of the figures given by Pantocsek. Furthermore, an informal 'type' of Navicula hasta reported in 1980 does not match the protologue and is not unambiguously based on material Pantocsek had in his hands when describing his new species. We studied published reports of Navicula hasta and investigated material reported to contain Navicula hasta and its allies from the type locality (Kopecz), one of the fossil deposits reported to contain N. hasta (Bodos) and from ancient and other younger lakes worldwide. From our analyses, we document the variation and underappreciated diversity within the Navicula hasta group and set the stage for formal recognition of new species in subsequent papers. Herein, we formally propose a lectotype from among the original illustrations and designate an epitype for Navicula hasta based on Pantocsek's Kopecz material. Additionally, two new species, Navicula krenneri spec. nov. and Navicula pseudohasta spec. nov. are described and a lectotype of Navicula superhasta Lange-Bertalot and Metzeltin is proposed.