Despite its small area in geographical terms, Macedonia hosts approximately 70%, i.e. 125 out of about 180, Gomphonema taxa currently known from all of Europe. Macedonia, situated in the Balkans, almost on the southern edge of Europe, represents a wide variety of habitats: from low land submediterranian (60 m above sea level) to alpine regions (2700 m asl), volcanic lakes, karstic springs, and ancient glacial lakes. The thirty taxa described here as new to science are not restricted to Macedonia, but will probably be found more widely distributed in the Balkans and in part possibly beyond. It is worthy of mention that only four of the new taxa originate from the ancient lakes, and that Albania participates in these lakes. Several of the new taxa are closely related to established ones. They should be carefully observed in the future so as to further clarify their status as either clearly separate populations, or, perhaps as ecologically defined ranges of infraspecific variability.
- Morphological characteristics of Gomphonema Ehrenberg
- Materails and methods
- Acknowledgements
- Description of species in alpahbetical order
- Unverified records of Gomphonema species in Macedonia
- References
- Explanation of plates
- Index of Taxa