An unknown freshwater diatom taxon, discovered during the study of the diatom flora in Lake Baikal, is described herein as Liuyania baicalensis gen. & sp. nov., based on the unique combination of morphological features; valves apically and transapically moderately asymmetric, slightly flexed in girdle view, epivalve with partially reduced raphe and deep valvocopula and epivalvar valvocopula with two rows of simple poroids. The morphology of the new taxon was studied with light and scanning electron microscopy and compared to similar cymbelloid and naviculoid genera. Additionally, the taxonomic position of the new genus was considered, with regard to the morphology of the valve features among diatoms of the order Cymbellales. |
