New and Interesting Taxa from the Diatom Genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg in Shallow, Nearshore Sites on the Eastern Coast of Lake Baikal

During this investigation, sixteen species from the genus Gomphonema were found in a shallow bay (near Oimur, Kabansky District) located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Eleven of these taxa have been described previously. Five species are described as new to science. We provide ecological information about these Gomphonema species, including their distribution within and outside Lake Baikal, and compare and contrast the new taxa with morphologically similar congeners. The diversity of morphologies present in Lake Baikal among the Gomphonema species suggests there has been both in-lake speciation as well as the introduction of various groups of species. The idea that Lake Baikal may support a high number of endemics by their partitioning niches based on depth is supported by the different groups of gomphonemoid diatoms present.


Introduction
Lake Baikal is a unique aquatic ecosystem, being the oldest continuously existing water body [1] and supporting high levels of endemic species across many groups of organisms [2][3][4][5]. A comprehensive picture of the diversity of freshwater diatoms in Lake Baikal is coming into focus, based on earlier studies that proposed about 400 new taxa [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15], more recent works published in two monographs, and many manuscripts that have revealed 13 new genera and more than an additional 400 new species .
In early revisions of the diatoms from Lake Baikal, Skvortzow and Meyer [13], Skvortzow [14], and Meyer [12] reported about 40 specific and infraspecific taxa from the genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg. Some of the discussed taxa belong to the genus Gomphoneis Cleve (=Gomphonella Rabenhorst nowadays) [33,42]. About twenty specific and infraspecific taxa were described as new to science and some of them were considered as endemic diatoms [13,14]. The history of diatom research from Lake Baikal was discussed by us previously [20]. Three more recent publications were dedicated to documenting the genus Gomphonema [25,34,43] in Lake Baikal. The morphology and distribution of endemic and widespread taxa from Lake Baikal were presented. Comprehensive light microscopic documentation of the valve diminution series of Gomphonema taxa is a basis for our understanding of species diversity in ancient Lake Baikal and the biogeography of the taxa present there. For example, a previous investigation of taxa from the G. acuminatum and G. truncatum-capitatum species complexes in Lake Baikal revealed some new species for science [25]. Some of the taxa treated in that publication were previously observed from other regions, especially from Mongolia. Our data show a wide distribution of species in the waterbodies of Central Asia and confirm the presence of some cosmopolitan taxa  Comments. This is an oligotrophic species [48,49]. Our specimens have expanded striae density as compared to previous reports (Table 1). It is a highly variable taxon, as previously discussed [48]. In one sample, we found two morphotypes of this species. The first morphotype (Figure 6A-J; Table 1) has wider valves that are more club shaped. The second morphotype (Figure 6K-J; Table 1) has narrower valves, less widened in their central part. At the same time, the densities of striae and areolae are identical for these two morphotypes (see Table 1). Our specimens are somewhat different from both the material shown by Vishnyakov and Romanov [48] and from the material shown from Mongolia [50] ( Table 1). At the same time, no noticeable morphological differences were found to separate these populations.  Valves are distinctly heteropolar, clavate with broadly rounded and short rostrate headpole, and acute footpole. The valve length is 19.5-42.0 µm, breadth 7.0-9.0 µm. The axial area is narrow and linear. The central area is small, transversally elongated made by the shortening of one central stria. Central striae on both valve sides are distantly spaced from the other striae. One isolated pore is present in the central area located very close to the slightly shortened central stria. Striae fine and uniseriate, radiate, 12-16 in 10 µm.
SEM, external view ( Figure 8M-R). Striae uniseriate. The areolae are occluded by flaps that create c-shaped openings, ≈40 in 10 µm. The proximal raphe endings are expanded, pore-like, and deflected towards the isolated round pore. The apical pore field is composed of round porelli. SEM, internal view ( Figure 9A-D). The areolae are located in narrow foraminal rows between strongly silificed vimines. Beneath the vimines, the sides of the grooves bear pairs of small struts. The proximal raphe ends are hooked and located on a raised central nodule. There is an isolated pore with a long slit-like opening. The septa are present ( Figure  9B, black arrow). Small pseudosepta are present, visible at footpoles ( Figure 9D, black arrow). The helictoglossae are offset from the raphe branch. A small septum is present at the headpole, though one has not been seen at the footpole. Valves are distinctly heteropolar, clavate with broadly rounded and short rostrate headpole, and acute footpole. The valve length is 19.5-42.0 µm, breadth 7.0-9.0 µm. The axial area is narrow and linear. The central area is small, transversally elongated made by the shortening of one central stria. Central striae on both valve sides are distantly spaced from the other striae. One isolated pore is present in the central area located very close to the slightly shortened central stria. Striae fine and uniseriate, radiate, 12-16 in 10 µm.
SEM, external view ( Figure 8M-R). Striae uniseriate. The areolae are occluded by flaps that create c-shaped openings, ≈40 in 10 µm. The proximal raphe endings are expanded, pore-like, and deflected towards the isolated round pore. The apical pore field is composed of round porelli. SEM, internal view ( Figure 9A-D). The areolae are located in narrow foraminal rows between strongly silificed vimines. Beneath the vimines, the sides of the grooves bear pairs of small struts. The proximal raphe ends are hooked and located on a raised central nodule. There is an isolated pore with a long slit-like opening. The septa are present ( Figure 9B, black arrow). Small pseudosepta are present, visible at footpoles ( Figure 9D, black arrow). The helictoglossae are offset from the raphe branch. A small septum is present at the headpole, though one has not been seen at the footpole.    Description. LM ( Figure 10A-Q). The valves are slightly heteropolar, rhombic lanceolate (in larger specimens), or very slightly clavate (in smaller specimens) with acutely rounded headpoles and footpoles. Valve length 14.5-38.5 µm and breadth 3-6 µm. Raphe filiform, weakly lateral with proximal ends dilated slightly and distal ends deflected onto the valve mantle. The axial area is lanceolate, with a widening at the central area. The central area is weakly expressed. There is an isolated pore near the central nodule and densely spaced to the rather long median stria. The striae are short and radiate, 11-15 in 10 µm.
SEM, external view ( Figure 10R-T). The striae are uniseriate. The areolae are occluded by large reniform siliceous flaps and merged with the valve surface, ≈30 in 10 µm. The proximal raphe endings are pore-like and deflected towards the isolated round pore. There is a prominent bilobed apical pore field composed of round porelli and bisected by external distal-raphe ends. Holotype. Deposited in the herbarium of MHA, Main Botanical Garden Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia, the holotype here designated, slide no. 18589 ( Figure 10D).
Isotype. Collection of Maxim Kulikovskiy at the Herbarium of the Institute of Plant Physiology Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia, slide no. 18589a.
Description. LM ( Figure 10A-Q). The valves are slightly heteropolar, rhombic lanceolate (in larger specimens), or very slightly clavate (in smaller specimens) with acutely rounded headpoles and footpoles. Valve length 14.5-38.5 µm and breadth 3-6 µm. Raphe filiform, weakly lateral with proximal ends dilated slightly and distal ends deflected onto the valve mantle. The axial area is lanceolate, with a widening at the central area. The central area is weakly expressed. There is an isolated pore near the central nodule and densely spaced to the rather long median stria. The striae are short and radiate, 11-15 in 10 µm.
SEM, external view ( Figure 10R-T). The striae are uniseriate. The areolae are occluded by large reniform siliceous flaps and merged with the valve surface, ≈30 in 10 µm. The proximal raphe endings are pore-like and deflected towards the isolated round pore. There is a prominent bilobed apical pore field composed of round porelli and bisected by external distal-raphe ends. Plants 2023, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 26 SEM, internal view ( Figure 10U,V). The areolar openings are large and round with reniform external occlusion located in a deep foraminal row between the strongly silicified vimines. There is an isolated pore that is large, transversely elongated, and located in a SEM, internal view ( Figure 10U,V). The areolar openings are large and round with reniform external occlusion located in a deep foraminal row between the strongly silicified vimines. There is an isolated pore that is large, transversely elongated, and located in a long groove. The proximal raphe ends are long, right-angled, terminating with a pore located on a thickened ridge. Pseudosepta are present and visible at both poles. The helictoglossae are offset from the raphe branch.
Comments. Gomphonema baicalodemersum sp. nov. belongs to the group of species with a wide axial area considered by Reichardt [51] and a number of other authors. Species of this group are known from Africa, Australasia, Europe, Asia, and North and South America [44,[51][52][53]. A distinctive feature of G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. is the presence of a long internal slit-like opening of the isolated pore, which passes into the foraminal row. In the light microscope, this structure is perceived as an elongated stria. A similar isolated pore structure is present in G. medioasiae [50]. At the same time, G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. has a narrower headpole and footpole of valves than G. medioasiae. The valve width of G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. (3-6 µm) is mostly narrower than the width of G. medioasiae (4.5-8.0 µm).
G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. is similar to G. demersum (Table 2) and the two species have similar valve widths (3-6 µm in G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. versus 3.6-6.0 µm in G. demersum) and striae densities (11-16 in 10 µm in G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. versus 12-16 in 10 µm in G. demersum). The two differ in that G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. has a more narrow headpole as compared to G. demersum. Additionally, the internal slit-like opening of the isolated pore of G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. is quite extended and connected with a narrow foraminal row of stria, while in G. demersum the isolated pore opening also has a slit-like shape, though less extended and does not reach the marginal stria.
Gomphonema genkalii Kulikovskiy, Kociolek, Solak and Glushchenko sp. nov. (Figure 11A-H) Additionally, the internal slit-like opening of the isolated pore of G. baicalodemersum sp. nov. is quite extended and connected with a narrow foraminal row of stria, while in G. demersum the isolated pore opening also has a slit-like shape, though less extended and does not reach the marginal stria. The raphe is straight with proximal ends dilated slightly and distal ends deflected onto the valve mantle. The axial area is narrow but expands near the central area. Isolated pores are absent. The striae are short and weakly radiate, 12-14 in 10 µm.
SEM, internal view ( Figure 11G,H). The areolar openings are small, round, and located in shallow foraminal rows. The side walls of the areolae bear part of small struts. The proximal raphe ends are hooked and located on a raised central nodule. The pseudosepta is poorly defined and visible at both poles. The helictoglossae is offset from the raphe branch.
Comments. Gomphonema genkalii sp. nov. can be assigned to the group of species with a wide axial area considered by Reichardt [51]. At the same time, the species has a unique valve outline and an absent isolated pore that makes it difficult to compare with any species of this group. The raphe is straight with proximal ends dilated slightly and distal ends deflected onto the valve mantle. The axial area is narrow but expands near the central area. Isolated pores are absent. The striae are short and weakly radiate, 12-14 in 10 µm.
SEM, internal view ( Figure 11G,H). The areolar openings are small, round, and located in shallow foraminal rows. The side walls of the areolae bear part of small struts. The proximal raphe ends are hooked and located on a raised central nodule. The pseudosepta is poorly defined and visible at both poles. The helictoglossae is offset from the raphe branch.
Comments. Gomphonema genkalii sp. nov. can be assigned to the group of species with a wide axial area considered by Reichardt [51]. At the same time, the species has a unique valve outline and an absent isolated pore that makes it difficult to compare with any species of this group. Etymology. This species is dedicated to the Russian hydrobiologist, Prof. Dr. Irina Trifonova from the Institute of Limnology, Saint Petersburg. Etymology. This species is dedicated to the Russian hydrobiologist, Prof. Dr. Irina Trifonova from the Institute of Limnology, Saint Petersburg.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality. Description. LM ( Figure 12A-E). The valves are clavate and are asymmetrical to the longitudinal axis with an acute to narrow rounded headpole. The footpole is acutely rounded. The valve length is 13-26 µm and the breadth is 2.8-3.5 µm. The raphe are straight with the proximal ends dilated slightly and the distal ends are deflected onto the valve mantle. The axial area is narrow but expands near the central area. The isolated pores are absent. The striae are short and radiate 11-12 in 10 µm.
SEM, external view ( Figure 12F,G). The striae are uniseriate and not interrupted near the valve face-mantle junction and continue in uniseriate rows onto the mantle. The areolae are occluded by large c-like semilunar siliceous flaps and merged with the areolar surface, ≈50 in 10 µm. The proximal raphe endings are expanded, pore-like, and deflected towards the isolated round pore. The apical pore field is composed of round porelli and is located along one mantle and the valve terminus.
SEM, internal view ( Figure 12H). The areolar opening is small, round, and located in a shallow foraminal row. The side walls of the areolae bear small struts. The proximal raphe ends are hooked and located on a raised central nodule. The pseudosepta are poorly defined and visible at both poles. The helictoglossae are offset from the raphe branch.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality. Description. LM ( Figure 13A-O). The valves are clavate and are asymmetrical to the longitudinal axis with an acutely rounded headpole. The footpole is narrowly rounded. The valve length is 13.5-34.5 µm and the breadth is 5-7 µm. The raphe is straight with the proximal ends dilated slightly and the distal ends deflected onto the valve mantle. The axial area is narrow but expands near the central area. The central area is formed by a shortening of the central striae. There is an isolated pore near the central nodule and is densely spaced to the rather long median stria. The striae are short and radiate at 11-15 in 10 µm. The striae radiate at 11-13 in 10 µm.
SEM, external view ( Figure 13P-U). The striae are uniseriate. The areolae are occluded by large c-like semilunar siliceous flaps and merged with the areolar surface, ≈40 in 10 µm. The proximal raphe endings are expanded, pore-like, and deflected towards the isolated round pore. The apical pore field is composed of round porelli and is asymmetrical between the two sides of the footpole. The distal raphe end is strongly hooked to bisect the apical pore field. SEM, internal view ( Figure 13V-X). The areolar openings are small, round, and located in shallow foraminal rows. The side walls of the areolae bear parts of small struts. The isolated pore is small, transversely elongated, and located in a long groove. The proximal raphe ends are hooked and located on a raised central nodule. The pseudosepta are present, visible at both poles. The helictoglossae offset from the raphe branch.
Comments. On the basis of valve shape, Gomphonema zapitaja sp. nov. is similar to G. cymbelliclinum and G. angustatum (Table 4) The valves of G. zapitaja sp. nov. are more club shaped and the footpole is more tapered than the headpole ( Figure 13A-O); these features are less evident in G. cymbelliclinum. The internal opening of the isolated pore in G. zapitaja sp. nov. (Figure 13V,W), as in G. cymbelliclinum, is slit-like ( [57], Pl. 40, Figure 33). At the same time, the slit of the isolated pore of G. zapitaja sp. nov. is shorter. The striae in G. zapitaja sp. nov. consist of areolae covered with siliceous flaps, while in G. cymbelliclinum the areolae are not covered ( [55], Pl. 90, Figure 3; 61, Pl. 40, Figure 33). Pore fields of G. zapitaja sp. nov. are formed by large poroids, asymmetrically developed, and separated by the distal raphe branch. One part of the pore field extends onto the front surface of the valve and the second part is predominantly located on the valve margin ( Figure 13R). In G. cymbelliclinum, the pore field is formed by smaller poroids; the poroids almost do not extend onto the front surface of the valve ( [55], Pl. 90, Figure 6).   Comments. Gomphonema megabaicalensis sp. nov. has a large axial and central area bearing various depressions. However, the new species is well distinguished from similar species (Table 5). G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. differs from G. oxycephalum P.T. Cleve in the club-shaped valves and G. oxycephalum has rhomboid-lanceolate club-shaped valves. The valves of G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. are noticeably narrower than G. oxycephalum (12.5-16.0 in G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. versus 18-23 µm in G. oxycephalum). G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. has a rectangular central area, defined by a few small, shortened striae, or in the form of a fascia.
The striae in the central area of the valves of the species G. oxycephalum are not shortened; the axial area expands and passes into the central area ( [52], Pl. 147, Figures 1-4). The two species also have ultrastructural differences.
G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. has small maculae on the external surface of the valves and small thickenings between the areolae ( Figure 14D,E). In G. oxycephalum the inlay of the surface of the valves is more complex ( [52], Pl. 148, Figures 1-4]). In G. megabaicalensis sp. nov., an isolated pore is absent (Figures 14E, 15A,B).  Description. LM ( Figure 14A-C). The valves are heteropolar, clavate with broadly rounded or subclavate headpoles, and widely rounded with weakly protracted footpoles. The valve length is 68-103 µm and the breadth is 12.5-16.0 µm. The raphe is lateral with the proximal ends dilated slightly and the distal ends deflected onto the valve mantle. The axial area is wide and gradually widens towards a rectangular central area. The isolated pore is absent. The striae weakly radiate at 5-7 in 10 µm.
SEM, external view ( Figure 14D-G). The striae are uniseriate. The areolae are rounded or elongated and located in small round depressions, separated by a thickened rim, ≈20 in 10 µm. The proximal raphe endings are expanded, pore-like, and deflected towards the isolated round pore. The apical pore field bilobed is composed of round porelli. SEM, internal view ( Figure 15A-C). The areolar openings are large and round without internal occlusions and located in deep foraminal rows between the strongly silicified vimines. Beneath the vimines, the sides of the grooves bear pairs of small struts. The proximal raphe ends are hooked and located on a raised central nodule. The pseudosepta are present and visible at the headpole. The helictoglossae are offset from the raphe branch.
Comments. Gomphonema megabaicalensis sp. nov. has a large axial and central area bearing various depressions. However, the new species is well distinguished from similar species (Table 5). G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. differs from G. oxycephalum P.T. Cleve in the club-shaped valves and G. oxycephalum has rhomboid-lanceolate club-shaped valves. The valves of G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. are noticeably narrower than G. oxycephalum (12.5-16.0 in G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. versus 18-23 µm in G. oxycephalum). G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. has a rectangular central area, defined by a few small, shortened striae, or in the form of a fascia.
The striae in the central area of the valves of the species G. oxycephalum are not shortened; the axial area expands and passes into the central area ( [52], Pl. 147, Figures 1-4). The two species also have ultrastructural differences. G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. has small maculae on the external surface of the valves and small thickenings between the areolae ( Figure 14D,E). In G. oxycephalum the inlay of the surface of the valves is more complex ( [52], Pl. 148, Figures 1-4). In G. megabaicalensis sp. nov., an isolated pore is absent (Figures 14E and 15A,B).
G. megabaicalensis sp. nov., similar to G. spectabilissimum Metzeltin and Lange-Bertalot 1998, has maculae ( [52], Pl. 146, Figures 1-3, Pl. 162, Figures 3-5). At the same time, G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. has club-shaped valves, while in G. spectabilissimum the valves are linear, being only slightly club shaped. G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. has a well-defined central area ( Figure 14E), while in G. spectabilissimum the central area is lacking ( [52], Pl. 146, Figures 1-3, Pl. 162, Figures 3 and 4). Even more differences are found in the ultrastructure of these two species. In the G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. are striae formed from 3-8 areolae, while those of G. spectabilissimum are shorter, formed from 2-4 areolae. The structure of the areolae also differs between the two species: in G. megabaicalensis sp. nov., the areolae are crater-shaped, lying in individual depressions separated by small thickenings, while in G. spectabilissimum the areolae of the stria lie in a common depression, and each of the areolae is covered with a siliceous flap ( [52], Pl. 162, . There are also differences in the structure of the raphe: in G. megabaicalensis sp. nov., the central raphe ends are simple and slightly widened, while in G. spectabilissimum, the central raphe ends lie in widening depressions ( [52], Pl. 162, Figure 3). Silica granules are present at the boundary between the front surface and valve inflection in G. spectabilissimum, which are absent in G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. In G. megabaicalensis sp. nov. the isolated pore is absent ( Figures 14E and 15A,B), while in G. spectabilissimum the external isolated pore opening is clearly seen in SEM ( [52], Pl. 162, Figures 3 and 4).
The data presented herein, along with other published observations, are beginning to help develop an understanding of the distribution species and genera of diatoms within the Lake Baikal and Transbaikal region, as well as the variety of morphological groups that inhabit this amazing freshwater ecosystem. Distributional patterns may be viewed spatially and temporally in the lake and region.
Both large-scale sampling surveys [20,58] and more focused collections (the majority of published results) have shown that within Lake Baikal, species can be found in certain basins or regions. Due to rifts within the Baikal basin, the lake can be split latitudinally into the northern, central, and southern basins, each with its own physical and chemical composition [1]. The northern basin, which has deep waters, is also the least developed in terms of anthropogenic impacts and harbors many endemic diatom genera and species in the lake, including species of Gomphonema [10,20,26]. The central basin, which is the easiest access point to the lake due to the geographic position relative to the communities of Irktusk and Lystvyanka, has had many species described exclusively from this region, including gomphonemoid diatoms [13,14,25,29,33]. The southern basin, characterized in general as being more shallow and, due to the inputs from the Selenga River delta from the eastern side of the lake, has been shown to have its own floristic composition [59,60]. In this latter region, anthropogenic nutrient inputs have changed the cycling of silica and the diatom flora [61].
In addition to the north-south axis of the lake, a spatial difference in diatoms also occurs with respect to the east and west shores of Lake Baikal. Of course, the strongest gradient in this regard is driven by the inputs of the Selenga River (as described above), the data presented herein also suggest some differences in the diatom flora between the eastern and western shores. For instance, all of the new species described herein are known only from the eastern shore of Lake Baikal, while previous considerations of the Gomphonema species collected from the western shore were not encountered in the current study. As indicated, many studies originated in Lake Baikal in the central basin of the western shore due to logistical reasons. The smaller number of taxa described from the eastern shore is likely due in large part to sampling intensity since most work on Lake Baikal has originated and focused on collections from the western shore.
Among the representatives of the genus Gomphonema found in Lake Baikal, there are many that appear to be endemic [13,14,25,34,62,63], though there are also species found in the lake that are more widely distributed [25]. In the present report, we note species that have been found beyond Lake Baikal, especially in Siberia. These include species such as Gomphonema makarovae, G. distans, G. subarcticum, G. parvulius, G. duplipunctatum, G. sphen-overtex, G. jergackianum, G. popovae, G. medioasiae, G. demersum, and G. auguriosiberica. These species were described previously from Siberia and the Arctic zone of Eurasia. Gomponema makarovae, for example, was described from a small, unnamed freshwater lake near the White Sea, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia [64]. The report of this species from Lake Kanas in China [65] requires verification. Gomphonema subarcticum was described from a Sphagnum collection from the Yugorskiy Shar Peninsula, NW Siberia, Russia [64]. Later it was found in Lake Elgygytgyn, Chukotka, Russia [66]. It is a circumboreal oligotrophic and dystrophic species. Gomphonema distans was described from Finnish Lapland as G. lagerheimii var. distans [67]. The taxon was later discovered in Siberia and a taxonomic combination was proposed by the authors [64]. The species is distributed in the northern regions of the Holarctic [68]. Gomphonema demersum is probably widespread in Siberia [44]. According to Reichardt [44], G. demersum is a complex of closely related species with similar morphology. Gomphonema parvulius is known from northern and central Europe and is characterized as an oligotrophic species [54,55]. Gomphonema duplipunctatum has been described in Finland. It is known from Europe [55] and the Northwestern USA [69]. Ecologically it is characterized as an oligotrophic-mesotrophic Holarctic species [55,68]. Gomphonema sphenovertex was described in Finland and has also been reported in Scandinavia and Iceland [70]. This is a rare species that does not have large populations. Gomphonema jergackianum was described from the Western Sajan Mountains, Russia [44]. An oligotrophic species, it is also known to be from Finland, Iceland, and Germany [44,70]. Gomphonema popovae is known to be from Russia, Mongolia, and China. Gomphonema medioasiae is known to be from Mongolia [50]. The species was previously known only from its type locality, the Barchuluut River [50]. The species found in Baikal and in Siberia may represent a group of species described by Vereshchagin [71] as a Siberian-Baikal species, representing an intermediate group of taxa that may be endemic to either Lake Baikal or Siberia. These observations suggest that benthic diatoms (as opposed to the plankton flora [72] in Lake Baikal and the surrounding Transbaikal region may follow distribution patterns seen in elements of the Baikal fauna [45]. Further research is needed to explore the distributional patterns of benthic diatoms in Lake Baikal and their relationships to species exclusively endemic to each region. Gomphonema pseudoaugur is known from the Holarctic [54]. An oligotrophic species, it is often observed in meso-and eutrophic lakes [54]. The Gomphonema diatom flora of Lake Baikal is rich in terms of the total number of taxa though it is also diverse in terms of the presence of morphologically distinct groups. In terms of richness, for both endemic and more widely distributed taxa, there have been over 100 species reported from this single lake. Unlike the situation in the closely related family Cymbellaceae, which less than four decades ago was recognized as a single genus [73,74] and now has been split up into almost 20 genera [75][76][77][78][79], the morphological groups within Gomphonema [80] have rarely been separated out as separate genera (Lange-Bertalot 1995; . Despite this, we can distinguish numerous morphological groups in the genus, many of which are found in Lake Baikal. Morphological groups of the Gomphonema species present in Lake Baikal include members of the "classical" species of the genus [25] and the G. auguriosiberica sp. nov. described herein. Groups with c-shaped areolae, similar to the classical group, vary in some other features (robust valves such as in G. popovae; isolated pore connected to the striae as in G. baicaldermersus sp. nov.; astigmate taxa such as G. genkalii sp. nov.) are also present. Other species groups previously recognized, but not included in the present treatment, include the G. ventricosum group (with a special type of occlusion in the areolae [34,75,80]; and very large, robust species [13] which may have close allies elsewhere in Asia [81] and species with doubly punctate striae. Two species described herein that require further attention are G. trifonovae sp. nov. and G. zapitaja sp. nov. These species have cells that are both asymmetrical to the apical and transapical axes and, unlike other genera with that combination of symmetry features (e.g., Afrocymbella Krammer, Gomphocymbellopsis Krammer) [76], these small species have their bilobed apical pore fields (APF) positioned asymmetrically on the footpole, with one lobe along one margin and the other positioned at the base of the footpole. This unique APF construction is found nowhere else amongst the gomphonemoid diatoms (let alone within Gomphonema specifically), warranting observations of their growth habit and systematic position.

Materials and Methods
Sampling. Samples used in this publication were collected by Maxim Kulikovskiy in 2011 from a shallow-water bay from the south part of Lake Baikal at 8 km from Enkhaluk village or small pools near it (near Oimur, Kabansky District) located on the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Physical and chemical water parameters were measured with a Hanna Combo (HI 98129) multiparameter probe (Hanna Instruments, Inc., Woonsocket, RI, USA). Samples were collected from different parts of the bay and from different substratum. A list of slides and their characteristics are given see Table 6. Preparation of slides and microscope investigation. Samples were processed by means of a standard procedure involving treatment with 10% HCl and concentrated hydrogen peroxide. After treatment with HCl, the samples were washed with deionized water. Permanent diatom preparations were mounted in Naphrax ® (Brunel Microscopes, Chippenham, UK). Light microscopic (LM) observations were performed with a Zeiss Axio Scope A1 (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) microscope equipped with an oil immersion objective (x100/n.a.1.4, DIC). Valve ultrastructure was examined by means of a JSM-6510LV scanning electron microscope (JEOL Ltd., Akishima, Tokyo, Japan), operated at 10 kV and 11 mm distance. For scanning electron microscopy (SEM), parts of the suspensions were fixed on aluminum stubs after air drying. The stubs were sputter coated with 50 nm of gold in an Eiko IB 3 (Eiko Engineering, Yamazaki, Hitachinaka Shi, Ibaraki Ken, Japan).
Samples and slides are deposited in the collection of Maxim Kulikovskiy at the Herbarium of the Institute of Plant Physiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.