Navicula sinicomeniscus sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta; Naviculaceae), a new species from southwestern China

Abstract

Based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations, Navicula sinicomeniscus sp. nov. is described here as a new species from oligotrophic Lake Fuxian in Yunnan Province, China. Characteristics of this new species used to assign it to the genus Navicula include filiform, almost straight to slightly curved raphe structure, lineolate striae, and a row of visible, horizontal areolae positioned on the valve mantle at the apices. The key diagnostic features between the new species and other similar species include: valve shape and size, stria and areola densities, as well as the straightness or degree of bending of the raphe. Comparison with morphologically similar species is discussed in detail. These results can help us further understand the morphological and ecological information of the genus Navicula in Fuxian Lake.