Achnanthes biasolettiana Grunow in Cleve and Grunow 1880 var. subatomus Lange-Bertalot 1989
Achnanthes subatomus Hustedt 1939
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 90; (1991) p. 62, plate 36:1-31
Local records: Hagelstein (1938) p. 320.
Ecology: optimum in oligotrophic to mesotrophic water of low alkalinity.
General distribution: found in alkaline-free lowland areas and low-alkaline mountainous areas in Germany. Also reported from the Collazo River in Puerto Rico.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present and abundant on most dates at Bisley and Puente Roto. It occurred occasionally in small numbers at the other sites as well.
4 X 14 mm 4 X 14 mm 2 X 10 mm 3 X 12 mm
Valve view valve view girdle view valve view
Raphe valve araphid valve 18 striae/ 10 um
19 striae/ 10 um
Achnanthes holsatica Hustedt in A. Schmidt et al. 1936.
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 88, Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1991), p. 27, plate 15:29-38.
Local records: none
Ecology: Meso-to eutrophic waters, alkaliphilic with mid-electrolytic requirements.
General distribution: Reported from Germany, unverified records outside of Germany.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred in small numbers occasionally at all sites but it was present and abundant at Bisley on all dates.
.
. 
araphid valve raphe valve both valves of
6 X 14 mm 6 X 12 mm one specimen
6 X 12 mm
Achnanthes lanceolata (Brebisson) Grunow in Cleve and Grunow 1880
Achnanthidium lanceolatum Brebisson ex Kützing 1849
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 92, Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1991) p.75, plate 41:1-8, 25. Patrick and Reimer (1966) p. 249, plate 18:1-10.
Local records: Haglestein (1938) as common in Puerto Rico (p. 321); Foged (1984) p. 13.
Ecology: In well-aerated flowing water, neutral to alkaline pH, not as common in nutrient- rich water.
General distribution: Widespread and common.
Distribution along the Mameyes: This species was present on all dates at all sites except the urban tributary. It has been the most abundant diatom at Bisley, but is not nearly so common at the other sites.
9 X 35 mm 7 X 16 mm 8 X 24 mm
Achnanthes minutissima Kützing 1833.
Achnanthidium minutissima Kützing 1844
Achnanthidium microcephalum Kützing 1844
Achnanthidium lineare W. Smith 1855,
Achnanthes minutissima var. cryptocephala Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Achnanthes minutissima f. curta Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 90; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1991), p. 56, plate 32:1-24, plate 35:1,2. Patrick and Reimer (1966), p. 253, plate 16:9-10, Cox (1996) p. 47, fig. 16m-p.
Local records: Hagelstein (1938) p. 321, collected from Collazo River, Puerto Rico. Foged (1984) p. 14, plate III:13, 14: Podzorski (1985) p. 27, plate 5:1-2, 34:9-11.
Ecology: Salt-intolerant to indifferent, tolerant of a wide range of pH values. Absent from extreme acidic and oligotrophic waters. Several ecological races of A. minutissima exist, with the morphological boundaries indistinct. A. minutissima var. minutissima is reported to be sensitive to wastewater, but A. minutissima var. saprophila is usually found in association with treated municipal or industrial waste.
General Distribution: Very widespread.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present and abundant on all dates at Puente Roto and the golf course channel. It was found at all sites, but was occasionally the dominant species at the golf course channel, constituting 55% of the sample in October 1999 and 79% of the sample in February 2000.
valve view valve view girdle view valve view girdle view
3 X 7 mm 3 X 10 mm 2 X 10 mm 3 X 14 mm 3 X 14 mm
Achnanthes salvadoriana Hustedt 1953
Cocconeis rudis Frenguelli 1953
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1991) p. plate 47:22; Metzeltin and Lange-Bertalot (1998) plate 66:10-14.
General distribution: Reported from Costa Rica and an unspecified location in Tropical South America (Metzeltin and Lange-Bertalot (1998)), and El Salvador.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species is always present at Bisley. It never ranks among the top ten most abundant diatoms at Bisley, but because it is relatively large it represents a large portion of the biovolume of diatoms present at this site. It has very infrequently occurred in samples from each of the other sites.
16 X 35 mm
This is the same diatom in different planes of focus.
The far left is the araphid valve, and the far right is the raphe valve.
Amphora coffeaeformis (Agardh) Kützing 1844 var. acutiuscula (Kützing) Rabenhorst 1864
Frustulia coffeaeformis Agardh 1827
Amphora salina W. Smith 1853
Amphora acutiuscula Kützing 1844
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 139; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot 1991 p. 348; Patrick and Reimer 1975 vol. 2, p. 77, plate 14:9-10
Local records: Hagelstein (1938) p. 324, common in Puerto Rico; Podzorski (1985), p. 50, plate 19:2, plate 39:6
Ecology: Marine, freshwater-tolerant but is restricted to waters with tidal influence
General distribution: Widespread.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present on all dates, though never abundant, at the intake , the golf course channel, and urban tributary. It occurred occasionally at the other sites as well.
6 X 24 mm
7 X 28 mm
Amphora sp. #10 (same as Amphora B in Podzorski (1985) p. 52, plate 19:14, possibly Amphora angusta var. angusta Gregory in Navarro (1989) fig. 19).
This diatom is not in Krammer & Lange-Bertalot or Patrick & Reimer. My description differs from Podzorski’s (1985) description a little, though not from his photo.
Description: Valve smoothly arched with a weakly convex ventral margin. Ends slightly protracted, barely rostrate. Axial area linear, slightly expanded central area, raphe filiform, nearly straight with a slight dorsal arch. Width 5-6 μm, length 21-30. Ventral striae 17-20/10 μm, dorsal striae 18-20/10 μm. Striae parallel or very slightly radiate and evenly distributed.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present but not abundant at the golf course channel on all dates. It occurred occasionally in small numbers at the other sites as well.
5 X 25 mm 5 X 25 mm 5 X 25 mm 6 X 28 mm 5 X 22 mm
Same diatom, different girdle view
planes of focus.
Cocconeis placentula Ehrenberg 1838 var. placentula
Cocconeis punctata Ehrenberg 1841
C. elongata Ehrenberg 1841
C. pumila Kützing 1844
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 93; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1991) p. 86, plate 49:2-4, 51:1-5. Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 240, plate 15:7;
Local records: Foged(1984) p. 29; Navarro (1989) p. 344; Podzorski (1985), p. 24, plate 4:1-2, 32:1-3, 5-6.
Ecology: Salt-intolerant to indifferent but not common in brackish waters (was in marine sample at Caja de Muertos (Navarro 1989); alkaliphilic, common on floating debris and plants.
General distribution: Gulf Coast states, South Central and southeastern states, Europe. Cosmopolitan.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present on all dates at Bisley, Puente Roto, Intake, and the golf course channel. It occurred at all sites occasionally, but was least abundant at the urban tributary and the golf course channel.
20 X 34 mm 12 X 20 mm 10 X 16 mm
Same diatom, different planes of focus
Cymbella laevis Naegeli in Kützing 1849
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000) p. 135; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 332, fig. 139:4-18; Patrick & Reimer (1971) p. 29, fig. 4:6
Local records: Foged (1984) p. 32, plate XII:8, 18; Podzorski (1985) p. 48, plate 18:5
Ecology: In cold, lime-rich water.
General distribution: Widely distributed but uncommon in U.S., known from mountainous areas in Europe. Found in Cuba and Jamaica.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species has been found occasionally at all sites, but it has been found consistently at the golf course channel and urban tributary on all dates. It was the dominant species in the urban tributary on one date, and was often present there in moderately high numbers.
6 X 26 mm
Same diatom, different planes of focus
7 X 26 mm 5 X 26 mm
valve view girdle view
Cymbella tumida (Brébisson ex Kützing) Van Heurck 1880
Cymbella stomatophora Grunow in Schmidt 1875
Cocconema tumidum Brebisson ex Kützing 1849
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 134; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 318, plate 130:4-6; Patrick and Reimer (1971) p. 58, plate 10:8.
Local Records: Hagelstein (1938) p. 348.
Ecology: Salt-intolerant, alkaliphilic, not found in high numbers in organically polluted water, but is found in mesotrophic to eutrophic water.
General distribution: Widespread, found in Europe, most of the U.S., and the tropics.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was most abundant and most frequently encountered at Puente Roto. It occurred infrequently at all other sites.
15 X 62 mm
17 X 70 mm
20 X 95 mm
Denticula kuetzingii Grunow 1862
Denticula tenuis inflata (W. Smith) Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
D. inflata W. Smith 1856
Identification sources: Cox (1996) p. 144, fig. 30f; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 182; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 143, plate 94:3,4; 99:11-23; 100:1-14, 18-22.
Local records: Hagelstein (1938).
Ecology: Prefers water with high electrolytic content.
General distribution: Cosmopolitan, (ranges from Arizona to Siberia), mountain springs in Puerto Rico.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present at Bisley in moderate numbers on all dates. It occurred at most of the sites, but was absent from the urban tributary.
4 X 29 mm 4 X 29 4 X 22 4 X 18 6 X 16 4 X 15 4 X 14 3 X 10
valve view girdle view
Diadesmis confervacea Kützing 1844
Navicula confervacea (Kützing) Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Diadesmis peregrina W. Smith 1857
Navicula confervacea var. hungarica Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Navicula confervacea var. peregrina Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Identification sources: Cox (1996) pp. 37, fig. 12, p. 128; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 121; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 221, plate 75:29-31; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 476, plate 45:9.
Ecology: Often found in shallow water or moist habitats, prefers soft, warm water.
Local records: Foged (1984) p. 61, plate IX:11; Hagelstein (1938) p. 382; Podzorski (1985) p. 10, plate 11:10.
General distribution: Widespread, cosmopolitan. Often found in greenhouses. Found in various habitats in Europe and the US. Found in high numbers in wastewater in Japan. Type specimen from Trinidad. Common in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was most abundant at the golf course channel. It occurred in moderately high numbers in the urban tributary. It occurred at the other sites as well but in much smaller numbers.
8 X 20 mm 7 X 22 mm 22 mm long, varying widths
7 – 8 X 20 mm (200X magnification)
Diadesmis contenta (Grunow) D.G. Mann 1990
Navicula contenta Grunow in Van Heurck 1884-1887,
Diadesmis biceps Arnott ex Grunow in Van Heurck 1880,
Navicula contenta Grunow form biceps (Arnott) Grunow,
Navicula contenta var. biceps (Arnott) Van Heurck 1885,
Navicula trinodis var. biceps Grunow in Van Heurck. 1880..
Identification sources: Cox (1996) p. 37, 129; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 118; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1991) p. 219 plate 75:1-5. Patrick and Reimer (1966) p. 480, plate 45:19.
Local records: Foged (1984) p.62, plate IX:9 , Hagelstein (1938) p. 382; Foerster (1971) p. 106
Ecology: Prefers alkaline waters, salt-intolerant to indifferent, shade-tolerant, often found in mosses and other moist aerial habitats.
General distribution: Widespread, Ecuador; Europe, U.S, Cuba, Jamaica, cloud forest and elsewhere in Puerto Rico.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present occasionally at all sites, but was present at Bisley on all dates, and was occasionally the dominant species there.
3 X 18 mm 3 X 15 mm 3 X 10 mm 3 X 10 mm 2 X 7 mm
girdle view girdle view valve view girdle view valve view
2 X 8 mm and 2 X 7 mm
valve view
Fragilaria biceps (Kützing) Lange-Bertalot 1991
Synonym: Synedra ulna var. biceps (Kützing) Kirchner in Cohn 1878 (partim?) et sensu auct. nonnull.
(?) Synedra longissima W. Smith 1853
(?) Synedra sphaerophora Meister 1912
Fragilaria pseudogaillonii Kobayasi & Idei 1979
Fragilaria ungeriana Grunow 1863
Synedra ulna var. longissima (W. Smith) Brun 1880
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 74; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000b) p. 146, plate 121:1-5; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 151, plate 8:2a-b.
Ecology: Salt-intolerant to indifferent, prefers circumneutral pH, usually found in oligotrophic waters; sensitive to wastewater.
Local record: Foged (1984) p. 99.
General distribution: Widespread but uncommon.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species ranked number 7 in the top ten most abundant diatoms found at the Intake. It appeared on one date at Puente Roto, but was otherwise absent from the other sites.
12 mm wide, girdle view
9 mm wide, valve view
9 X 250 mm, valve view (200X magnification, chloroplast intact)
Geissleria decussis (Ostrup) Lange-Bertalot 1996
Navicula decussis Ostrup 1910 var. decussis
Navicula thingvallae Ostrup 1920
Navicula exiguiformis Hustedt 1944
Navicula terebrata Hustedt 1944
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 105; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 141, plate 47:10-18; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 518, plate 49:15.
Ecology: Freshwater, circumneutral pH.
Local records: Podzorski (1984) p. 42, plate 13:9.
General distribution: In U.S.: Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states, Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, Montana, California, Alaska. Elsewhere: Africa, Ecuador, and Jamaica.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present at the Intake on all dates. It was absent from the urban tributary, but occurred occasionally at the other sites. It occurred in highest numbers at the Intake and Puente Roto, and was least common at Bisley (one cell).
N. decussis N. decussis N. decussis
7 X 24 mm valve view girdle view
(1000X magnification) 7 X 24 mm 7 X 24 mm
(200X mag.) (200X mag.)
Gomphonema clevei Fricke 1902
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 372, plate 164:20- 21, Patrick and Reimer (1966) p. 138, plate 18:6.
Local records: Foged (1984) p. 42, plate XIII:6; Podzorski (1985) p. 53, plate 20:8-9, 41:3
Ecology: Prefers flowing water, salt-intolerant to indifferent, optimal development at pH 8.6, intolerant of organically rich waters..
General distribution: Widespread, Eastern and Southern states of U.S., Cuba, Jamaica
Distribution along the Mameyes: This species was present and abundant at all sites. It was present on all dates everywhere except the urban tributary, where it was absent on a couple of dates when one or two other species dominated.
4 X 31 mm 4 X 29 mm 4 X 24 mm 4 X 21 mm 4 X 16 mm
Same cell, different girdle view
planes of focus
Gomphonema parvulum (Kützing) Kützing 1849
Sphenella parvula Kützing 1844
Gomphonema lagenula Kützing 1844
Gomphonema micropus Kützing 1844
Gomphonella parvula Rabenhorst 1853
Identification sources: Cox (1994) p. 51, 125, fig. 17n; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 140; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 358, plate 154:1-24; Patrick & Reimer (1971) p. 122, plate 17:7-12.
Local records: Foged (1984) p. 44, plate XIII:13; Podzorski (1985) p. 54, plate 21:4; Hagelstein (1938) p. 362.
Ecology: Fresh-water, best development in nutrient-rich water, though morphologically distinct pollution-intolerant populations have been recorded.
General distribution: Widespread, common and abundant in U.S., Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Cuba, Jamaica.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present on all dates everywhere except the urban tributary, but it was occasionally in high numbers at the urban tributary, where it was ranked as the 6th most abundant diatom, as well as at Puente Roto (7th), and the Intake (3rd).
7 X 28 mm 7 X 20 mm 6 X 14 mm 4 X 22 mm
girdle view
Gomphonema tackei Hustedt 1942
Gomphonema carlsenii Foged 1965
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 142; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 377, plate 165:22-24.
Ecology: Aerophilic, but otherwise insufficiently known.
Local records: None.
General distribution: Rare, found in Germany, Hungary, Yellowstone Park.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was among the most abundant and most frequently occurring diatoms at Bisley. It occurred occasionally at all the other sites.
3 X 18 mm 3 X 15 mm 2 X 8 mm 5 X 14 mm, girdle view (2 cells)
Gyrosigma obtusatum (Sullivan & Wormley) Boyer 1922
Pleurosigma obtusatum Sullivan & Wormley 1859
Identification sources: Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 317, plate 23:5.
Ecology: Insufficiently known, found in fresh water.
Local records: None.
General distribution: States along the Eastern U.S. Type specimen from Ohio.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was among the top ten most abundant species found at Bisley. It was seen occasionally at the other sites, but in much smaller numbers.
*Note: This species is consistently between 62 and 70 μm long and between 9 and 12 μm wide. The central area is around 3 to 4 μm long. The transverse striae around the central area are more conspicuous, around 15/10 μm. The transverse striae number 25/10μm towards the ends. The longitudinal striae are too vague to count. The orientation of the proximal raphe ends is difficult to distinguish. It is a best-fit with Gyrosigma obtusatum, but is uncertain.
10 X 65 mm 10 X 65 mm 9 X 62 mm Central area Central area
Navicula lanceolata (Agardh) Ehrenberg 1838 non sensu Kützing nec sensu Hustedt
Frustulia lanceolata Agardh 1827
Navicula (viridula var.?) avenacia (Brebisson) Grunow in Schneider 1878
Schizonema thwaitesii Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 101; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 100, plate 29:5-7; Patrick and Reimer (1966) p. 511, plate 48:20.
Ecology: Found in fresh or brackish water, prefers water of high mineral content, tolerant of high organic loading.
Local records: Hagelstein (1938) p. 387; Podzorski (1985) p. 42, plate 13:13, 38:8.
General distribution: Widespread, common in the U.S. and Europe.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: Because this species was so abundant at Bisley on one date, February 2000, it is one of the top ten most abundant diatoms for that site. Only one other cell was found at any other time, and that was in the urban tributary.
9 X 49 mm 9 X 46 mm 8 X 36 mm Central area with
Same cell, different shortened striae
planes of focus
Navicula salinarum Grunow in Cleve and Grunow 1880
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 110, plate 35:5-8; Patrick and Reimer (1966) p. 503, plate 48:1
Ecology: Found in fresh or brackish water, prefers water of high mineral content.
Local records: none
General distribution: Widely distributed in the U.S., Europe. Cosmopolitan.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred on all dates at the golf course channel, though it was frequently found at the intake and occurred occasionally at all sites.
10 X 40 mm
Navicula seminulum (Grunow) D.G. Mann 1989
Navicula seminulum var. fragilarioides Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Navicula saugerii Desmazieres 1836-1854
Navicula atomoides Grunow in Van Heurck 1880
Identification sources: Cox (1996) p. 83, 130, fig. 26t; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 230, plate 76:30-36; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 489, plate 46:19.
Ecology: Tolerant of a range of water quality, including brackish and high electrolytic conditions and nutrient-rich waters. Has been found in high concentrations in sanitized wastewater effluent.
Local records: Podzorski (1985) p. 39.
General distribution: Widespread in the U.S. and Europe, Jamaica.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred occasionally at all sites, but was present at Puente Roto on all dates. It was occasionally abundant in the urban tributary.
*Note: identification of this minute species was based on size, striae arrangement, and the shape and arrangement of the chloroplast (single, H-shaped).
3 X 10 mm 3 X 8 mm 3 X 7 mm
Navicula symmetrica Patrick 1944
Navicula schroeterii Meister 1932
N. simulata Manguin 1942
N. schroeterii var. escambia Patrick 1959
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 102; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 115, plate 38:1-4; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 513, plate 49:2.
Ecology: Prefers mid-electrolytic conditions, some populations are salt-tolerant.
Local records: Foged (1984), Bourelly (1952).
General distribution: Cosmopolitan: Alaska, Indonesia, Cuba, Guadeloupe.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was present on all dates at the Intake and Puente Roto. It was among the most abundant species at all sites except Puente Roto. On one date it was the dominant species at the urban tributary, almost to the exclusion of all other species. It was present in large numbers on that date at Bisley as well.
7 X 32 mm 7 X 28 mm 7 X 28 mm
Navicula tenelloides Hustedt 1937
Navicula carniolensis Hustedt 1945
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 102; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 117, plate 38:16-20; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 534, plate 51:7.
Ecology: Found in different habitats with diverging electrolytic conditions, in riffles, aerial habitats, and on mosses; narrow pH requirements of between 7.5 and 7.8.
Local records: None.
General distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was found on all dates at Puente Roto , the Intake and the golf course channel in moderate numbers. It was the 4th most abundant diatom at the urban tributary, where its highest concentrations occurred in February 1999.
4 X 20 mm 4 X 18 mm 3 X 14 mm
Same cell
different focus
Nitzschia amphibia Grunow 1862 f. amphibia
Nitzschia amphibia var. acutiuscula Grunow in Cleve and Grunow 1880
Identification sources: Cox (1996) p. 99, 140, fig. 31:u; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 179; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 108, plate 78:13-21.
Ecology: Tolerant of a wide range of electrolytic conditions
Local records: Foged (1984) p. 74, plate XV:38; Hagelstein (1938) p. 392.
General distribution: Widespread, very common, common in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Hagelstein 1938). Type specimen from Puerto Rico.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred occasionally at all sites. It was present on all dates at Puente Roto , the golf course channel and the urban tributary. It was occasionally very abundant at these sites. In February 2000 it constituted 35% of the number of diatoms in the sample, and it was ranked as the 3rd most abundant diatom in the urban tributary and at Puente Roto.
4 X 28 mm 4 X 24 mm 4 X 16 mm 3 X 7 mm
4 X 14 mm, girdle view
Nitzschia clausii Hantzsh 1860
Nitzschia sigma var. curvula (Erenberg 1838) Brun 1880
N. sigma var. clausii (Hantzsch) Grunow 1878
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 167; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 31, plate 19:1-6a.
Ecology: Brackish water, estuaries, coastal areas, inland in waters with high electrolytic content. Tolerant of high levels of organic waste and is sometimes found in association with industrial waste.
Local records: Hagelstein (1938) p. 394; Podzorski (1985) p. 58, plate 23:3-4.
General distribution: Common and widespread, Europe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and St. Croix
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred occasionally at all sites, though most frequently in the urban tributary. It ranked as 8th most abundant in the urban tributary. The highest concentrations occurred in February of both 1999 and 2000
4 X 30 mm 4 X 26 mm 4 X 25 mm 4 X 20 mm 3 X 18 mm
Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith 1856
Nitzschia perpusilla Rabenhorst 1861 non Grunow 1862
N. frustulum var. glacialis Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
N. frustulum f. subserians Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
Identification sources: Cox (1996) pp. 101, 142, fig. 31:g,s; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 175, 181; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 85, plates 59:1-24. 60:1-7
Ecology: Tolerant of a wide range of trophic and electrolytic conditions.
Local records: Foged (1984) p. 79, plate XVI:10; Hagelstein (1938) p. 390; Podzorski (1985) p. 63, plate 25:8.
General distribution: Very common and widespread.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred at all of the sites. It occurred at the Puente Roto, the golf course channel, and the urban tributary on all dates. It was among the top ten most abundant diatoms in the urban tributary and the golf course channel. It was the dominant species in the urban tributary in June 1999, constituting 24% of the sample
5 X 35 mm 5 X 25 mm 3X 25.5 mm 3 X 23 mm
Nitzschia paleacea (Grunow) Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
Nitzschia subtilis var. paleacea Grunow in Cleve & Grunow 1880
N. holsatica Hustedt in A. Schmidt et al. 1924
N. kuetzingiana sensu Hustedt 1930 non Hilse 1863
N. bacata Hustedt 1938
N. admissa Hustedt 1957
N. paleacea var. ebroicensis Maillard 1978
N. markarovae Michailow 1984
Identification sources: Cox (1996) p. 101, fig. 31L; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 179; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 114, plate 81:1-7.
Ecology: In waters of mid to high organic loading, tolerant of high electrolytic conditions.
Local records: Podzorski (1985) p, 63, plate 25:9-10.
General distribution: Very common and widespread.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was usually present in the urban tributary, but was not among the most abundant. It was among the most abundant diatoms at the golf course channel, ranking 3rd. It was the 2nd most abundant species at the Intake, and was present 96% of the time. The highest concentration of this species at the Intake occurred in February 1999. It occurred less frequently and in much lower numbers at Bisley and Puente Roto.
2 X 48 mm 2.5 X 37 3 X 35 2.5 X 30 1 X 32
girdle view
Nitzschia inconspicua Grunow 1862
Nitzschia (perpusilla Rabenhorst var.) inconspicua Grunow in Cleve & Moller 1878
N. frustulum var. inconspicua Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
N. abbreviata Hustedt in A. Schmidt et al. 1924
N. invisitata Hustedt 1942
5). N. perpusilla sensu auct. Nonnull. (excl. Typus)
Identification sources: Cox (1996) p. 99, 142, fig. 31hh; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 95, plate 69:1-13.
Ecology: In waters of mid to high electrolytic conditions, can withstand osmotic fluctuations typical of supralittoral zones, tolerant of high organic loading. Different morphologies may indicate different ecological races.
Local records: Podzorski (1985) p. 61, plate 24:10.
General distribution: Widespread, common.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This was the most abundant species in the urban tributary. It constituted 68% of the sample in October 1998, which accounts for its high overall abundance ranking. It was usually present in the urban tributary and was always present in the golf course channel, in much lower numbers. It occurred in low numbers occasionally at the other sites, and was the least abundant at Puente Roto.
2 X 9 mm 2 X 8 mm 2 X 7 mm 2 X 5 mm
2 X 14 mm
Nitzschia sinuata (Thwaites? In W. Smith) Grunow in Cleve and Grunow 1880 var. delognei (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot 1980
Nitzschia denticula var. delognei Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
N. moissacensis var. heidenii Meister 1914
N. interrupta (Reichelt in Kuntze) Hustedt 1927
N. heidenii var. pamirenis Petersen 1930
N. solgensis Cleve-Euler 1952
Grunowia moissacensis Heribaud 1903
N. kittoni H. L. Smith 1878
Identification sources: Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 165; Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1997) p. 52, plate 40:4,7-8.
Ecology: Found in waters of mid to high electrolytic content, tolerant of high organic content.
Local records: Hagelstein (1938) as common in Puerto Rico (N. kittoni, p. 397, plate 8:2,3).
General distribution: Widespread and common.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred in small numbers at all sites but occurred on all dates at Puente Roto. It was abundant at that site and at the intake.
4 X 16 mm 4 X 16 mm 4 X 16 mm 4 X 16 mm
Synedra rumpens var. fragilariodes Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
Synonym: Fragilaria capucina var. distans (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot (no date)
Synedra vaucheria var. distans Grunow in Van Heurck 1881
Identification sources: Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000b) p. 124, plates 109:16, 113:16-21; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 144, plate 6:1.
Ecology: Prefers circumneutral water of high conductivity, in flowing water, somewhat intolerant of nutrient-rich water. Exact ecological delineation is made difficult due to the taxonomic confusion (Krammer & Lange-Bertalot 2000b).
Local records: Podzorski (1986) p. 21, plate 2:6-7.
General distribution: Widespread but uncommon in the U.S., Europe, Jamaica.
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species was always present at Puente Roto and the golf course channel. It was occasionally present at the other sites except for the urban tributary, where it was absent. It was the 6th most abundant diatom at Puente Roto.
4 X 60 mm 4 X 42 mm 4 X 42 mm 4 X 35 mm 5 X 33 mm 4 X 28 mm
Synedra ulna (Nitzsch) Eherenberg 1836
Synonym: Fragilaria ulna (Nitzsch) Lange-Bertalot 1980
Bacillaria ulna Nitszch 1817
Frustulia splendens Kützing 1833
Synedra bicurvata Beine ex Rabenhorst 1864
S. lanceolata Kützing 1844
S. splendens Kützing 1844
S. ulna var. lanceolata Grunow 1862
S. ulna var. splendens (Kützing) Van Heurck 1885
Identification sources: Cox (1996) p. 45, 118, fig 15:a,b; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000a) p. 74; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot (2000b) p. 143, plates 119:1-10, 122:1-16; Patrick & Reimer (1966) p. 148, plate 7:1-2.
Ecology: Often in waters with medium to high organic content, intolerant to indifferent to salt.
Local records: Hagelstein(1938) p. 426; Podzorski (1985) p. 22; Foged (1984) p. 98, plate II:3; Navarro (1989) p. 342.
General distribution: Widespread, reported from Cuba, Jamaica, and as the most abundant diatom found in Puerto Rico by Hagelstein (1938).
Distribution along the Río Mameyes: This species occurred occasionally at all sites. It occurred most frequently in small numbers at the golf course channel. It was ranked the 9th most abundant diatom at Puente Roto, but the highest concentrations were found at the urban tributary in February of 2000.
7 X 100 mm 8 X 90 mm 8 X 83 mm 8 X 63 mm 7 mm wide, girdle view