Coscinodiscus Wailesii — a Nuisance Diatom in European Waters

Abstract

The diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It was introduced to European waters and was first detected in the English Channel, near Plymouth, Devon, in 1977 (as Coscinodiscus nobilis Grunow). Its tolerance to abiotic factors enabled it to become estab-lished and it spread rapidly. It had reached the Atlantic coast of France by 1978 and Norway by 1979. Today it can be found along the Atlantic coast of France, through the English Channel and north to the Friesian Islands, Helgoland and Norway.