Lutophila S.Kheiri, Edlund, S.A.Spauld. & C.N.Solak

Kheiri, Somayyeh, Edlund, Mark B., Spaulding, Sarah, Solak, Cüneyt Nadir, Sabouri, Jafar, Izadi, Bahman & Peszek, Łukasz, 2024, Lutophila gen. nov., a new diatom genus from the hottest place on Earth, Lut Desert, Iran, Phytotaxa 641 (2), pp. 99-111 : 102

Lutophila S.Kheiri, Edlund, S.A.Spauld. & C.N.Solak gen. nov.

Registration: http://phycobank.org/104471

Valves linear-lanceolate, symmetric on apical and transapical axes, strongly parallel sides with broadly rounded apices. In girdle view, symmetric or slightly asymmetric along pervalvar axis. Valves 8.4–20.5 µm long and 1.6–2.8 µm wide. Central area hardly distinguishable from the axial area. Axial area symmetric. Raphe straight externally, terminal raphe ends curved to the same side of the valve and proximal raphe ends straight. Internally raphe slightly curved with proximal raphe ends slightly deflected unilaterally and terminal raphe ends ending in small helictoglossae. Striae parallel, 26–28 in 10 µm; each stria composed of two macroareolae, one macroareola on the valve face and one on the valve mantle. Each macroareola transapically elongate, macroareolae on valve face apically aligned, macroareolae on valve mantle also apically aligned; internal occlusions of macroareolae foriculate, external occlusions of macroareolae hymenate.

Type species: Lutophila iranica S.Kheiri, Edlund, S.A.Spauld. & C.N.Solak

Etymology:—Named for its habitat preference in the hottest place on Earth; (Lut) Iran’s Lut Desert and (- phila) loving