ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
freshwater
;
River Thames
;
centric diatoms
;
key
;
taxonomy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Centric diatoms collected from the River Thames at Kingston have been separated into ‘types’ (N.B. this term has no nomenclatural or taxonomic implication in this context), the cleaned frustules of which are visibly different when examined by light microscopy. An attempt has been made to correlate observations obtained by light microscopy, stereoscan and transmission electron microscopy, and to make detailed comparisons with descriptions in the literature. Some of the ‘types’ can be referred to known species while others, especially those referable to the genus Stephanodiscus, are more debatable. It is concluded that the separation of discoidal celled centric diatoms into ‘types’ visibly different by light microscopy is a valid basis for the ecological investigation of these planktonic diatoms, even though some of these ‘types’ probably represent morphotypes rather than separate species. A key to the centric diatoms from the Thames is presented together with tabulated characteristics upon which the key is based.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00020684
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