EPILITHIC FRESHWATER DIATOMS FROM ELEPHANT ISLAND, SOUTH SHETLANDS, ANTARCTICA

Abstract

Epilithic diatom species from six sampling stations on Elephant Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica, are presented in this paper. Samples were taken in the austral summer of 2011-2012 from submerged stones in two lakes and four streams. Species identification was carried out by light and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 19 species in 12 genera were determined. The most representative genera considering number of species were Gomphonema Ehr. and Pinnularia Ehr. Compared to species inventories on other islands of the South Shetlands archipelago, species richness on Elephant Island is low, and further investigation is needed in order to determine the causes, whether environmental or result of biotic interactions.