New Freshwater Diatom Genus Discovered | 21 Jun 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, scientists have discovered a new genus of freshwater diatom - Indiconema, a microscopic algae crucial to life, in the clean rivers of the Eastern and Western Ghats.

What are the Key Features of Indiconema?

• It has been named Indiconema to value its restricted distribution in the country.
• This genus features unique valve symmetry and a distinct valve structure, differing significantly from other members in the Gomphonemoid group.
• It has pore fields at both the head and foot poles, unlike others that have them only at the foot pole.
• Indiconema was found in both the Eastern and Western Ghats, reflecting the shared endemic elements between these mountain systems seen in other endemic-rich groups such as reptiles.
• Morphological features suggest that Indiconema is closely related to Afrocymbella, a genus endemic to East Africa, highlighting biogeographic connections between Indian and East African diatom species.

What are Diatoms?

• Diatoms are microscopic algae producing 25% of the global oxygen supply, forming a critical base of the aquatic food chain.
  • They are sensitive indicators of aquatic health due to their responsiveness to changes in water chemistry.
• Diatoms are the first recorded microorganisms in India, with Ehrenberg's (a German naturalist and zoologist) first report dating back to 1845 in his publication Mikrogeologie.
  • India hosts approximately 6,500 diatom taxa, with about 30% being endemic, reflecting the country's unique biodiversity.
• Diverse biogeographic zones in India support various diatom species across different habitats, including freshwater, marine environments, and high mountain regions.
• The evolution of monsoons and the resulting rainforest biome in the Indian Peninsula has significantly influenced diatom flora.
  • The unique physiographic and climatic gradients of the Eastern and Western Ghats provide a wide array of habitats for distinct diatom species.