Geographic distribution of epilithic diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) in Antarctic lakes, South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctica Region

By

Ferreira Da Silva, Juliana
Oliveira, Maria Angélica
Paidano Alves, Rodrigo
Vestena Cassol, Ana Paula
Ribeiro Da Anunciação, Raylane
Pereira Da Silva, Eduardo
Schünemann, Adriano Luis
Batista Pereira, Antônio

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019-9-20

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

15

Series / Issue

Issue: 5

Pages

797--809

Subjects

aquatic systems , Biogeography , Conservation , Environment , microalgae

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/15.5.797

 

Abstract

Organisms adapt to the environment by establishing themselves in suitable locations. Adaptation to the harsh Antarctic environment is no different. In this work the communities of epilithic diatoms in ice-free areas of water systems of five Antarctic islands are studied. The samples were oxidized, and permanent sheets were later prepared for analysis of the material. They were examined using an optical microscope and mounted on stubs for identification of the taxon in an electron microscope. Fifty-nine species distributed in 28 genera were collected. Only four species were observed in all study areas. Deception Island had unique species in comparison with those on other islands. Knowing the diatom community is a first step in understanding the systems that they inhabit. The polar environment is challenging due to the difficulty of sampling and low diversity and abundance.