Description of five new species of the diatom genus Luticola (Bacillariophyta, Diadesmidaceae) found in lakes of James Ross Island (Maritime Antarctic Region)

During a survey of the non-marine diatom flora from lakes on James Ross Island (Maritime Antarctic Region), five new Luticola species have been recorded: Luticola desmetii, L. doliiformis, L. evkae, L. permuticopsis and L. tomsui. Detailed morphology descriptions of these taxa are given based on both light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphological features of each taxon have been compared with similar taxa and notes on the ecology of the species have been added.