New Reports of Epilithic and Epiphytic Diatom Flora from Foot-Hill Areas of Eastern Himalayas

摘要

In the present investigation total 51 diatom taxa have been reported from different unexplored flora of Northern part of West Bengal, India (26°54’35” N, 88°72’05” E) with detail morphotaxonomic description. Collection was done from the foot-hill regions of eastern Himalayas, designated as a ‘Biodiversity hotspot’ by Conservation International. Out of 51 taxa, 15 species of Gomphonema, 6 species each of Nitzschia and Ulnaria, 5 species from Cymbella and 3 species each of Navicula and Achnanthes were recorded. Furthermore 2 species each of Synedra, Pinnularia and Rhopalodia and 1 species each of Fragillaria, Sellaphora, Diadesmis, Cocconeis, Rhoicosphenia, Encyonema and Melosira were also included in the recorded flora. All the taxa have beenreported for the first time from the study area (Jalpaiguri district) and amongst them Gomphonema contraturris is reported for the first time in India. For a few dominant species scanning electron microscopy was done for detailed structural analysis.