Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) of the world’s highest aquatic environments from the Western Himalayas, India

The present study is a preliminary taxonomic surveyof diatom assemblages from one of the highest mountain ranges in Western Himalayas – Ladakh. 37 samples were collected 19 different sampling sites at altitudes ranging 3100–4552 amsl. communities representative habitats such as lakes, streams, and hot springs high altitudes. dominant diatoms are studied using light microscopy identified valve morphometrics. enlists total 74 taxa belonging to 40 genera along with photomicrographic plates. Commonly-found species high-altitude Gogorevia exilis Denticula thermaloides, Reimeria sinuata, Fragilaria vaucheriae, Gomphonella cf.olivacea, Encyonema ventricosum, Lindavia biswashanti,Diatoma moniliformis, valida commonly occurring stream, river lake habitats. Further analysis putative novel this environment will be described future publications.