Mallomonas uralensis sp. nov. (Chrysophyceae, Synurales), a new species of the genus Mallomonas from the section Torquatae

Abstract

This paper describes a new species of Mallomonas, discovered in small ephemeral waterbodies of Southern Urals (Russia). The species description is based on scale morphology studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Mallomonas uralensis sp. nov. belongs in section Torquatae and is most similar to representatives of the series Mangoferae. The main distinctive features of the new species are papillae and small circular pits located on the surface of the shield; a raised, wide anterior submarginal rib, covered with several parallel rows of minute papillae and surrounded on the outer and inner sides by rows of depressions; narrow anterior flanges bearing one row of minute papillae; and the presence of spines on the most of the body scales.