Salt marsh diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) in South Brazil

Abstract

Salt marshes in South Brazil hold an unknown diatom community. This study aims to evaluate the composition, richness and β-diversity of the diatom community of salt marsh sediments in the Patos Lagoon Estuary. The samples were taken at five sites between 31°59'18.60"S - 52°14'58.50"W and 32°06'49.74"S - 52°09'22.57"W, in January 2002 and March 2008. The community was composed of 64% brackish, 24% marine and 16% freshwater diatoms and it was represented by 24 families, 36 genera and 50 specific and infra-specific taxa. There was no variation in the species composition indicated by β-diversity (1.05). Based on the Chao2 richness estimate, the diatom community is representative of the salt marsh in the Patos Lagoon Estuary. Measurements and illustrations of the species are presented.