The diatom genus Gomphoneis Cleve (Bacillariophyceae) from Lake Baikal, Russia

Lake Baikal harbors the largest diversity of Gomphoneis diatom species globally, with 22 new taxa identified and described. Contrary to prior assumptions, no representatives of the Herculeana subgroup were found, suggesting a dual origin for these species—one from Western regions spanning Mongolia to Macedonia, and another from western North America. The study employed light microscopy for documentation and scanning electron microscopy for detailed illustration, revealing two distinct groups within the Elegans subgroup: one with four or more stigmoids and another lacking them. This research highlights Baikal's unique role in diatom biodiversity and speciation.

KOCIOLEK, J. P., KULIKOVSKIY, M. S., & SOLAK, C. N. (2013). The diatom genus Gomphoneis Cleve (Bacillariophyceae) from Lake Baikal, Russia. Phytotaxa, 154(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.154.1.1