| Diatoms are a major group of unicellular micro-algae with a silica-based cell wall. They comprise an abundant and highly diverse group of algae which are found in and around all water types. Their lifestyles are various and include planktonic species that live suspended in the water column, while other species grow on substrates such as plants, macroalgae, and rocks. The substrate bound species are categorized in different life forms. For example, epipsammic diatoms are directly adhered to sand grains or other sediment particles and are immobile in contrast to epipelic diatoms, which are more or less motile. This paper concentrates on epiphytic life forms, diatoms that are attached to other plants and algae, including larger diatoms (Barber 1994). Diatoms... |
