Molecular phylogeny of monoraphid diatoms and raphe significance in evolution and taxonomy

The phylogenetic position of the genera Rossithidium and Psammothidium was studied using the plastid gene rbcL. The genus Rossithidium is not an independent taxon and should be transferred to Psammothidium. Taxa from Psammothidium genus formed a sister, but independent clade to taxa with Achnanthidium. Our data has shown that the order Achnathales was not the natural taxon and should be reduced, but the three families included in it were natural. Genera like Psammothidium (including Rossithidium) and Lemnicola should be included into the family Achnanthidiaceae. Therefore, raphe does not play an important role in diatom taxonomy and its loss occurred many times during the evolution of diatoms.