Skeletonema tropicum (Bacillariophyceae) present in Uruguayan southern coastal waters

Abstract

This is the fi rst report of Skeletonema tropicum Cleve in Uruguayan coastal waters. Under scanning electronic microscopy the species showed convex valves, strongly silicifi ed joined in colonies, with typical 1:1 junctions and occasionally 1:2. The species was found in tropical regions, but in our study in the Uruguayan coast, it was found between 11.1-12.7 ºC at 35º04’S-54º53’W, for this reason the geographical distribution and temperature r ange could be broadened