Diatom Complexes in Modern Bottom Sediments of Lakes of the Central Tunguska Plateau, Evenkia

Diatom complexes in the upper layer of bottom sediments in freshwater lakes Cheko and Zapovednoe located in the taiga zone of southern Evenkia in the Tungusskii State Reserve have been investigated for the first time. We have found and identified 156 diatom taxa in two lakes, and their ecological preferences are determined. Valves of Aneumastus tusculus (Ehrenberg) D.G.Mann & A.J.Stickle are identified in Lake Cheko; this diatom is officially described as a fossil. Similarities and differences in the diatom complexes in both lakes are revealed. They are characterized by the presence of species widespread in freshwater reservoirs of the taiga zone at the same latitude. Lake Cheko is distinguished by a smaller portion of planktonic species, which is probably related to the greater flow of this lake. The dependence of the species composition of diatoms on meteorological parameters (temperature and precipitation) is shown.