Description of Gomphothidium gen. nov., with light and scanning electron microscopy: A New Freshwater Monoraphid Diatom Genus from Asia

We describe a new genus of monoraphid diatom based on Achnanthidium ovatum T.Watanabe et Tuji in Watanabe et al., a species described originally from Japan. We encountered this species from Yunnan Province in the southwestern part to eastern China, as well as in Luding, Sichuan Province and Xianju, Zhejiang Province, in pristine lotic environments. The species differs from the genus Achnanthidium by being asymmetrical to the transapical axis and has a pseudoseptum at the poles of the interior of the raphe valve which is fused with each helictoglossa. Moreover, a distinct group of condensed striae can be found at the narrower pole ('footpole') of the raphe valve. This appears to be the only known genus of freshwater monoraphid diatoms that is restricted to a single continent.