Marine tube-dwelling diatoms of the Pacific coast of North America. I. Berkeleya, Haslea, Nitzschia, and Navicula sect. Microstigmaticae

Abstract

Species of marine tube-dwelling diatoms have been identified from fresh collections made along the Pacific coast of the United States and from herbarium material originating from the Aleutian Islands to Baja California. The major species have three geographic ranges. Berkeleya rutilans is common throughout the region. Navicula pseudocomoides is common as far south as Point Conception (as are one or more species of Navicula sect. Lineolatae, not treated here). Less common in this region is Navicula delognei. Nitzschia fontifuga was found as a sporadic cohabitant of tube-forming species, especially B. rutilans. Berkeleya hyalina is a warm-water species, extending as far north as Los Angeles. Rarer tube-forming species include Haslea crucigera, Berkeleya fragilis, and B. micans.