Gliwiczia gen. nov. a new monoraphid diatom genus from Lake Baikal with a description of four species new for science

Scientists have discovered four new species of monoraphid diatoms belonging to the genus Gliwiczia from Lake Baikal, distinct from previously described genera due to unique morphological features such as a cavum (horseshoe) structure on both raphe and sternum valves, uniseriate striae, and open circular areola occlusions. The study also reclassifies Achnanthes calcar under the new genus. Researchers used light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze type material and Lake Baikal samples, revealing that these species may be endemic to the region. This finding highlights the biodiversity of UNESCO World Heritage Site Lake Baikal and its significance for taxonomic studies.

KULIKOVSKIY, M., LANGE-BERTALOT, H., & WITKOWSKI, A. (2013). Gliwiczia gen. nov. a new monoraphid diatom genus from Lake Baikal with a description of four species new for science. Phytotaxa, 109(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.109.1.1