Abstract
A new species, Simonsenia maolaniana sp. nov., is reported from a typical karst landform, Maolan Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province, China. The valves are lanceolate (larger frustules) to elliptical-lanceolate (smaller frustules), widest in the centre of the valve, and narrowly rostrate, not protracted at the ends. The more lanceolate valve outline, greater valve width and coarser structure distinguish S. maolaniana from other Simonsenia species. A direct comparison between the new species and the sympatric (though rare) S. delognei was possible because the two occurred together at Maolan. This is the first report of Simonsenia from continental China.
Acknowledgements
We appreciate the helpful comments of Dr A. Witkowski regarding the structure of Simonsenia and its distribution. Also, we are grateful for the comprehensive and constructive comments of two reviewers in relation to scientific aspects, format and language.