Mallomonas imitans sp. nov., a new tropical species from section Papillosae (Synurales, Chrysophyceae)

This study, conducted in a tropical region, investigates species from the section Papillosae that are morphologically similar to M. furtiva and M. kalinae, using electron microscopy and molecular data. Phylogenetic analysis of three algal cultures resolved a distinct clade, separate from M. furtiva and M. kalinae, in trees based on both SSU rDNA + rbcL cpDNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA datasets. Based on these results, a new species, Mallomonas imitans sp. nov., is described. This paper discusses the morphological differences between the new species and other Mallomonas taxa within the section Papillosae. The distribution of Mallomonas imitans sp. nov. appears to be restricted, as it has been found in only three localities in Vietnam.