Lutophila gen. nov., a new diatom genus from the hottest place on Earth, Lut Desert, Iran

Scientists have discovered Lutophila, a new diatom genus, in the hypersaline pools and saline river of Iran's Lut Desert, recognized as the hottest place on Earth. This novel genus, characterized by its linear-lanceolate shape with broadly rounded apices and distinctive areolae patterns, shares morphological traits with genera like Krasskella, Biremis, Chamaepinnularia, and Oestrupia. The study identifies one species, Lutophila iranica, which exhibits two morphotypes differing in width and central area prominence. This research contributes to the understanding of microbial flora in extreme environments, particularly in the understudied hypersaline ecosystems of the Lut Desert.

KHEIRI, S., EDLUND, M. B., SPAULDING, S., NADIR SOLAK, C., SABOURI, J., IZADI, B., & PESZEK, Ł. (2024). Lutophila gen. nov., a new diatom genus from the hottest place on Earth, Lut Desert, Iran. Phytotaxa, 641(2), 99–111. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.641.2.2