''Skeletonema'' is a genus of
diatom
A diatom (Neo-Latin ''diatoma''), "a cutting through, a severance", from el, διάτομος, diátomos, "cut in half, divided equally" from el, διατέμνω, diatémno, "to cut in twain". is any member of a large group comprising sev ...
s in the family
Skeletonemataceae
Skeletonemataceae is a family of diatoms in the order Thalassiosirales
''Thalassiosirales'' is an order of centric diatoms. The order currently contains 471 species. Species in the order Thalassiosirales are common in brackish, nearshore, and ...
. It is the type genus of its family. The genus ''Skeletonema'' was established by R. K. Greville in 1865 for a single species, ''S. barbadense'', found in the Barbados deposit
ung 2009
These diatoms are photosynthetic organisms, meaning they obtain carbon dioxide from their surrounding environment and produce oxygen along with other byproducts. Reproduce sexually (sexual reproduction is oogamous) and asexually
uiry 2011
''Skeletonema'' belong to the morphological category referred to as centric diatoms. These are classified by having valves with radial symmetry and the cells lack significant motility
orner 2002 ''Skeletonema'' are cylindrical shaped with a silica frustule. Cells are joined by long marginal processes to form a filament
orner 2002 Their length ranges from 2-61 micrometers, with a diameter ranging from 2-21 micrometers
asle 1997
They are found typically in the neritic zone of the ocean and are highly populous in coastal systems
ung 2009 The genus is considered cosmopolitan, showing a wide range of tolerance for salinity and temperature
asle 1973 For example, they have been found in various aquatic environments such as brackish or freshwater. Skeletonema are found worldwide excluding Antarctic waters
evia-Orube 2016
Some harmful effects these diatoms may have on an ecosystem are attributed to large blooming events which may cause hypoxic events in coastal systems. Additionally, they are known to cause water discoloration
raberg 2010
References
* "Descriptions of New and Rare Diatoms". R. K. Greville, ''Journal of Microscopy'', 1865
* "Descriptions of new genera and species of Diatoms from Hong Kong". R. K. Greville, ''Journal of Natural History'', 1865
* Hasle, G. R. and Syvertsen, E. E. 1997. Marine diatoms. In: Tomas, C. R. (ed.) Identifying marine Phytoplankon. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego. 5-385.
*Horner, R. A. 2002. A Taxonomic Guide To Some Common Phytoplankton. Biopress Limited, Dorset Press, Dorchester, UK. 200.
*Kraberg, A., Baumann, M. and Durselen, C. D. 2010. Coastal Phytoplankton: Photo Guide for Northern European Seas. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, Munchen, Germany. 204.
*Hevia-Orube, J. 2016. “Skeletonema species in a temperate estuary: a morphological, molecular, and physiological approach”. Diatom Research. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0269249X.2016.1228548
*Jung, S. W. 2009. “Morphological Characteristics of Four Species in the Genus Skeletonema in Coastal Waters of South Korea”. Algae. Vol. 24. 195-203.
*Hasle, G. R. 1973. Morphology and taxonomy of Skeletonemacostatum (Bacillariophyceae). Norw. J. Bot. 20: 109-137.
External links
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''Skeletonema''at WoRMS
Thalassiosirales
Coscinodiscophyceae genera
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