FRANKOPHILA, MAYAMAEA AND FISTULIFERA - 3 NEW GENERA OF THE CLASS BACILLARIOPHYCEAE

Distinct homogeneous clusters of established diatom taxa are described as three new genera. Only the nomenclatural type of the first genus, Frankophila similioides, is introduced as a new species. Two other spe cies, F. loetschertii and F. maillardii belong to this genus with a un ique complex of characteristic features of the Fragilariaceae, in part icular of the sub-genus Staurosira, and of naviculoid Raphideae. Actua lly 13 taxa of Navicula sensu late belong to Mayamaea with M. atomus a s type species: whereas Navicula pelliculosa, Navicula saprophila and Navicula iranensis are transferred to Fistulifera. In addition to thes e proposals Stauroneis spicula is transferred from the actually used c ombination Navicula spicula to the genus Haslea SIMONSEN.