Gomphonema svalbardense sp. nov., a new freshwater diatom species (Bacillariophyta) from the Arctic Region

Abstract

During a survey of freshwater diatoms from lakes in the region of Petuniabukta on Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago) a new Gomphonema species, G. svalbardense sp. nov., has been recorded. The new taxon was previously cited in the literature as G. angustatum var. undulatum but this identification proved to be erroneous. Detailed morphology description of G. svalbardense based on light and scanning electron microscopy is presented in this paper and the morphological features of the taxon have been compared with similar species. Gomphonema svalbardense is characterized by its typical linear, almost naviculoid outline with undulating margins, with clearly inflated central part, asymmetric central area, lateral raphe with simple straight proximal endings and the weakly radiate striae. History, ecology and biogeography of the species, mainly based on literature data, have been included.