Nupela Vyverman and Compere

Description

Biraphid valves, slightly asymmetric to the apical axis. Central area rectangular, extends nearly to valve margin. Striae appear as narrow longitudinal bands under the light microscope. With SEM, areolae are found to be elliptical and arranged in rows of variable length. The number of longitudinal rows, or bands, vary from 2 to 4 and may be different on different sides of the raphe. External proximal raphe slightly expanded. Internal proximal raphe somewhat curved terminating in a "T".

This genus was described from Papua New Guinea from high elevation ponds. The systematic position is thought to be near Brachsiraceae or Diadesmidaceae.