Diatom flora of marine coasts

Several hundred samples collected from marine coasts of various geographic regions have been primarily studied by means of light microscopy supplemented by SEM and TEM observations. As a result almost 2000 taxa could be identified. The first volume contains ca. 1100 taxa representing 120 genera illustrated on 219 plates in 4504 micrographs. A considerable number of taxa was compared with the original (type) material. 30 new species or infraspecific taxa and 10 new genera are described. The material studied originates from temeperate zones, the Arctic and (sub) tropic climates of both hemispheres. Our intention in preparing - step by step- the diatom flora of marine coasts is to provide diatomologists working in the marine littoral with an equivalent of the „Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa“ by Krammer and Lange-Bertalot. We hope the first volume will help to fill up the considerable deep gap of knowledge. Freshwater diatoms are commonly better known whereas the identities of marine species are much more questionable. Our biggest handicap up to now has been inadequate microphotographic information on species diversity in the marine littoral.