Diatoms from the valporquero cave (LeÓn, NW Spain), with the description of germainiella legionensis sp. nov.

Abstract

From a biological point of view, karst caves are important subterranean ecosystems, but remain to date relatively poorly- studied. The diversity in this kind of habitat is usually low due to scarce light availability with resulting lack of primary productivity. In the case of show caves, the artificial illumination allows the colonization by phototrophic microorganisms, which is known as lampenflora, including fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, diatoms, mosses, etc. This study analyzes the diatom flora from Valporquero Cave (León, NW Spain), both epilithic on stalactites and moss-dwelling. In the samples observed, typical genera from moist, humid, aerophilous habitats were recorded, but some biogeographically noteworthy species, including an unknown Germainiella taxon described here as a new species, were found. Some of these species have already been reported from caves from different places around the world, giving an idea of the broad distribution pattern of many diatom taxa. The occurrence of diatom taxa in this cave could contribute to understanding the global diversity and distribution patterns in cave-dwelling taxa.