Three new species of the genus Stauroneis Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyceae: Stauroneidaceae) from the Northern Western Ghats, India

Three new species of the genus Stauroneis Ehrenberg are discovered from the Northern Western Ghats of India – Stauroneis datarii sp. nov., Stauroneis bahlsii sp. nov., and Stauroneis hamiltonii sp. nov. Based on light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, detailed morphological features are presented and each taxon is discussed in comparison with similar species within the genus. Features of linear–lanceolate valves with median constriction, rounded apices, bow–tie shaped stauros, and radiating striae characterize Stauroneis datarii. Stauroneis bahlsii has large, lanceolate valves, with obtusely–rounded apices, a bow–tie shaped stauros that may have isolated areolae in some valves. Stauroneis hamiltonii possesses linear–lanceolate valves, broadly rostrate apices, characteristic bow–tie shaped stauros, and radiate striae. All of the taxa share a characteristic pseudoseptum at the apices. The recent discoveries of many novel taxa from the terrestrial and semi–aquatic environments of the Northern Western Ghats highlight the role of non–aquatic habitats in unmasking the diatom diversity of the Indian subcontinent.