Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies Of Epiphytic Diatoms Associated With Mangroves

Epiphytic diatoms in two Mangrove estuaries of Pichavaram and Parengaipetai, Tamilnadu, India were documented based on samples collected from March to December 2014. All specimens were identified to species level under light and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Pneumatophores were collected, cut and scrabbed.29 species of epiphytic diatoms were found and classified into the Division Bacillariophyta. Most of the species were in the Order Bacillariales (pennate diatoms) among these, Achnanthidium affine, Cymbella tumida, Diatoma sp, Diploneis puella, Martyana martyi, Navicula clavata, Navicula radiosa, Neidium bisulcatum, Stauroforma exiguiformis, Rossithidium linearis, Nitzchia communis were identified as the dominant species and described in terms of size, shape and the structural details of the frustules. Mangroves, Pneumatophores, Diatoms, LM and SEM.