FRAGILARIA STRIATULA LYNGBYE: A LITTLE KNOWN MARINE DIATOM FROM CHILE.

Abstract

Although the marine species Fragilaria striatula Lyngbye is widely distributed in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, has rarely been reported from the southeastern Pacific coasts of Chile. Using material deposited at the Diatom Collection of the University of Concepcion, Chile, the morphological features of this taxon were observed and recorded under light and electron microscopes. The specimens studied were collected between 20º13’S and 53º39’S, revealing a wide distribution along the Chilean coast, especially as an epiphyte on larger algae.