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The global distribution of surf diatom accumulations
Campbell, E.E. (1996). The global distribution of surf diatom accumulations. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat. 69(4): 495-501
In: Revista Chilena de Historia Natural. La Universidad de Chile: Santiago. ISSN 0716-078X; e-ISSN 0717-6317, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Anaulus C.G. Ehrenberg, 1844 [WoRMS]; Asterionella A.H. Hassall, 1850 [WoRMS]; Asterionellopsis F.E. Round in F.E. Round, R.M. Crawford & D.G. Mann, 1990 [WoRMS]; Attheya T. West, 1860 [WoRMS]; Aulacodiscus C.G. Ehrenberg, 1844 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Anaulus, Asterionella. Attheya, Aulacodiscus. Asterionellopsis

Author  Top 
  • Campbell, E.E.

Abstract
    Surf diatoms regularly cause brown water discoloration at suitable beaches in the southern hemisphere as well as a few beaches of North and Central America. Species involved are taxonomically and morphologically unrelated. Different localities usually have one or two species dominant in the brown water. but up to five species have been found to be eo-dominant. There is no global pattern of species distribution other than that the phenomenon is more common in the southern hemisphere. Anaulus australis Drebes et Schulz is restricted to the southern hemisphere; Asterionella socialis Lewin et Norris is endemic to the northern hemisphere while Aulacodiscus africanus Cottam appears to be a tropical species. The remainder of the surf accumulating diatoms (Attheya armatus (West) Crawford, Aulacodiscus kittonii Arnott, and Asterionellopsis glacialis (Castracane) Round) occur in both hemispheres. Records from the tropics show that the original biogeographic limits previously set at between 29° S and 42° S are too narrow. Most surf diatoms are confined to surf-zones, never being recorded elsewhere (A. armatus. A. australis,A. kittonii and A. socialis) but at least one is a cosmopolitan species (A. glacialis). Accumulations form at fixed localities of the coastline and are semi-permanent features of the sandy beaches where they are found. The coastal features at the beaches where they have been recorded are similar.

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