Quasi monospecific proliferation of Pteroncola inane (Giffen) Round (Fragilariales; Bacillariophyceae) on blades of Eisenia arborea Areschoug.

Abstract

The arraphid diatom Pteroncola inane is a taxon that commonly inhabits the feathers of seabirds and as an epiphyte on European coasts, but until now it was not registered for the coasts of Mexico. In this study, proliferations of P. inane are recorded on sheets of Eisenia arborea collected in Bahía Magdalena Baja California Sur, Mexico, where it was the dominant taxon den another of the epiphytic diatom association that included 75 taxa; most of these rare and rare. In fresh preparations the specimens showed two chloroplasts parietal laminar; no type was observed of cologne. In permanent preparations P. inane presented hyaline appearance, absence of valvar structure and points along the margins of the valvar mantle. The identification of this taxon was achieved by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with which the striae of the valves and a barely perceptible narrow sternum were observed. Likewise, it was noted that the marginal points consist of perforations of the first intercalary band and that it exhibits thickening of the valvar mantle as points. This constitutes the first record of P. inane for Mexico and the first as an epiphyte in a benthic environment for the eastern Pacific.