Gymnomonas nepalensis gen. et sp. nov. for the naked flagellate strain ‘Nepal’, formerly identified as Dunaliella lateralis (Volvocales, Chlorophyceae): Gymnomonas nepalensis gen. et sp. nov.

This study revisited the naked green flagellate strain ‘Nepal’, formerly identified as Dunaliella lateralis Pascher & Jahoda. This strain was concordant with the original description of motile cells, but different in features of the chloroplast morphology, eyespot position and asexual reproduction. Belonging to Oogamochlamydinia, this strain was distinguished from the walled species and another naked species Hapalochloris nozakii Nakada in cell size, ultrastructural features and phylogenetic positions. Based on these features, Gymnomonas nepalensis gen. et sp. nov. is proposed.