Diatoms associated to macroalgae in permanent plates in the collection of Professor German Bula Meyer, Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia

Professor German Bula (1947-2002), a marine biologist specialized in phycology, as part of its discipline collected macroalgae samples from different parts of Colombia, especially from the Tayrona National Natural Park. He was interested in knowing the microalgae associated to these samples. As a contribution to the knowledge of the biodiversity in Colombia, specific determination of the taxa found in 61 permanent plates elaborated by Bula was made; these plates, labelled as diatoms but unidentified, are stored in the Biological Collection Centre of the Universidad del Magdalena. Likewise, during this study, 22 permanent plates were elaborated, based on the macroalgae material; this material is contained in jars that also belong to the same collection. These plates were also reviewed. As result 100 taxa were determinate: 91 at specific level and 9 at genus level; 39 taxa are new records for the Colombian Caribbean and 9 are new records for the Caribbean. The taxonomic list is accompanied by figures, references, measures, distribution in the Colombian Caribbean, and an approximation to its world distribution. Besides, information of the auto-ecology of the species is provided. From the total taxa, 63 belong to the Class Bacillariophyceae, 19 to Coscinodiscophyceae, and 18 to Fragilariophyceae; 81 taxa live especially in marine environments, 51 can live in brackish water, and 17 live especially in freshwater. Of these, 36 taxa live only in marine environment and 4 only in fresh water. 36 taxa presented a combination marine brackish, 4 a combination freshwater brackish, and 8 a combination marine brackish freshwater