A taxonomic appraisal on the rare green algal genus Ecballocystopsis M.O.P.Iyengar (Chlorellales: Trebouxiophyceae): morphological and numerical approach

Ecballocystopsis (Oocystaceae, Chlorellales, Trebouxiophyceae) is a rare green algal genus, represented by only five taxa: E. dichotoma var. dichotoma from China and E. indica, E. desikacharyi, E. himalayensis and E. dichotoma var. minuta from India. Here we propose the novel variety E. dichotoma var. anandii from Jharkhand, synonymization of E. himalayensis with E. dichotoma and erection of E. dichotoma var. minuta to a separate species as E. minuta stat. et comb. nov. These taxonomic changes are well supported by the results of a multivariate analysis based on a numerical taxonomic approach. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) were performed to resolve the species delimitation ambiguity and supplement the morphology-based classification of the genus. Ecballocystopsis himalayensis and E. dichotoma grouped in a single cluster along with the proposed new variety, while E. indica, E. desikacharyi and E. minuta formed separate clusters. An identification key to the species of the genus Ecballocystopsis is also presented.