A new freshwater Gomphonema Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyta) species from Eastern Himalayas, India

Abstract

A new freshwater diatom species, Gomphonema adhikarii sp. nov., is described from a small road-side pool from the alpine region of Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas, India. Detailed valve morphological features, based on both light and scanning electron microscopy, is presented and this taxon is compared with similar species. Gomphonema adhikarii has a distinct asymmetry about the apical axis and slightly bent foot pole area. The outline of the valve is slightly undulate, the valve centre is swollen and both apices are broadly rounded. This new species described from the Eastern Himalayas supports the idea of the area being rich in biodiversity, even with respect to the freshwater diatom flora.