SEASONAL CHANGES OF CELL VOLUMES OF FOUR DIATOM SPECIES IN THE ISKENDERUN BAY, NORTH-EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Seasonal changes of cell volumes of four diatom species in the Iskenderun Bay, North-eastern Mediterranean Sea

Sevim Polat, G.Tamer Kayaalp

Faculty of Fisheries, University of Çukurova, 01330, Balcalı, Adana, TURKEY
Faculty of Agriculture, 01330, Balcalı, Adana, TURKEY

Abstract

The cell volumes of four diatom species in the Iskenderun Bay were calculated and results hence evaluated on seasonal basis. The selected species were Thalassiothrix fraunfeldii, Hemiaulus hauckii, Guinardia flaccida and Pseudosolenia calcar-avis which commonly occur in the area. The statical analyses showed that, cell volumes of all species were different among the seasons (p<0.01) (p<0.05). Moreover, cell volumes of three species (T. fraunfeldii, P. calcar-avisand G. flaccid) were found different among locations. There were correlations of less importance between cells volumes and seawater temperature. The results of the study showed that, complex biological and environmental factors and their interactions affect the phytoplankton cell volumes.

Keywords: Phytoplankton, diatom, cell volume, cell size, north-eastern Mediterranean