New and Interesting Taxa from the Diatom Genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg in Shallow, Nearshore Sites on the Eastern Coast of Lake Baikal

Abstract

During this investigation, sixteen species from the genus Gomphonema were found in a shallow bay (near Oimur, Kabansky District) located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Eleven of these taxa have been described previously. Five species are described as new to science. We provide ecological information about these Gomphonema species, including their distribution within and outside Lake Baikal, and compare and contrast the new taxa with morphologically similar congeners. The diversity of morphologies present in Lake Baikal among the Gomphonema species suggests there has been both in-lake speciation as well as the introduction of various groups of species. The idea that Lake Baikal may support a high number of endemics by their partitioning niches based on depth is supported by the different groups of gomphonemoid diatoms present.