Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences

Vol. 47 (06), June 2018, pp. 1237-1239

Two new record of benthic diatom – Diploneis crabro (Ehrenberg) and

Gyrosigma balticum (Ehrenberg) Rabenhorst from the mangrove intertidal
regions of South Andaman, Andaman Archipelago, India
J. Balasubramaniam*, P. Marimuthu, D. Prasath & K. A. Jayaraj
Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair - 744 112, Andaman &
Nicobar Islands, India
*[E-mail: baladotmariner@gmail.com]

Received 22 January 2016; revised 13 June 2016

Occurrence of two species of benthic diatoms Diploneis crabro and Gyrosigma balticum are reported for the first time in
the mangrove environment of Andaman Archipelago. Sediment samples have been collected from South Andaman
mangrove intertidal regions. Detailed description with taxonomical characters of the two newly reported species with their
habitat is given. This study provides information about benthic diatom – one of the primary producers of mangrove
environment in Andaman Archipelago, India.

[Keywords: New record, benthic diatom, Diploneis crabro, Gyrosigma balticum, mangrove sediments, Andaman Islands]

Introduction Andaman and situated between 11°27' - 11° 45' N

Mangroves, which distributed widely on mudflats latitudes and 92° 30' - 92° 46' E longitudes (Fig. 1).
of tropical and subtropical coastlines are plant Surficial sediment samples were collected from
communities subjugated by salt and flood tolerant mangrove intertidal sediments of South Andaman,
trees and shrubs. The high productivity and biodiversity Islands. Samples were treated with 3 to 5ml of
of mangroves helps to decrease coastal erosion and concentrated nitric acid to remove the organic
defense against tropical cyclones and tidal waves matter inside and outside of diatom frustules9.
construct1. Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago comprises Each sample was diluted by adding distilled water
of more than 572 scattered islands, islets and rocky until no acid was left in the sample. Acid free diatoms
outcrops. This Archipelago is considered to be a
veritable repository of rich biodiversity of flora and
fauna2. These islands have rich mangroves,
which are probably the best in India in terms
of its density and growth3. Benthic diatoms are a
chief primary producers and significantly contributing
to the primary production of mangrove ecosystems.
They also form the primary component of the microbial
communities, which are responsible for sediment
stabilization4,5.
Only limited works have been carried out in India
about benthic diatoms6,7,8 and no work has been
carried out in Andaman Islands. This is the first report
providing information about benthic diatoms in the
Andaman mangrove environment.
Materials and Methods
Present study has been carried out in the intertidal
mangrove regions of Chidiyatapu creek and Carbyn
creek. These two sampling sites were located in South Fig. 1 — Study area showing sampling stations in South Andaman
1238 INDIAN J. MAR. SCI., VOL. 47, NO. 06, JUNE 2018
Fig. 2 — Diploneis crabro
samples were identified using an Olympus BH2
photomicroscope. The qualitative work of diatom
was carried out by using classical keys9, 10, 11,12.
Result and Discussion
The newly recorded benthic diatom Diploneis crabro
and Gyrosigma balticum belongs to the family
Diploneidaceae and Pleurosigmataceae respectively.
These two diatoms species have been collected from
mangrove intertidal surficial sediments of Chidiyatapu
creek and Carbyn creek.
Gyrosigma balticum (Ehrenberg) Rabenhorst –
Cells solitary, free. Valves linear - lanceolate and only
slight sigmoid towards the end. Raphe - sigmoid
similar to the valve as it becomes coincide with the
valve margin to the apices. Dimensions - length:
143.4-158.7 µm, width: 11.6-13.32 µm (Fig. 3).
Habitat and distribution: This species was found in
Carbyn creek and moderate environmental variables
were recorded (temperature: 30 °C, salinity: 33 psu
and soil pH: 5.4).
Diploneis crabro Ehrenberg – Cells solitary, free.
Valves elliptical with a median constriction, apices
rounded with central nodule prominent. Valve surface
covered with transverse striate that are very slightly
radiates. These lines are usually parallel and straight
and do not intercept the costae opposite the central
nodule. Dimensions - length: 35-62 µm, width: 10-23
µm, width of the constriction: 7-15 µm (Fig. 2).
Habitat and distribution: This species was found
Fig. 3 — Gyrosigma balticum
in Chidiyatapu creek where slightly low values
of environmental variables recorded (temperature:
25 °C, salinity: 27 psu and soil pH: 4.8).
Fuerte9 have done taxonomical work on these two
diatom species Diploneis crabro and Gyrosigma balticum
and dimensions were comparable to our result. Fuerte9
also reported that these two diatom species were
abundant from mangrove sediments in the northwest
region of Mexico. Cibic13 noted that these two diatom
species were abundant as benthic form in coastal
sediments of Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea).
Sanilkumar8 reported Diploneis notabilis, Diploneis
weissflogii and Gyrosigma nodiferum from Cochin
Estuary, west coast of India.
Benthic diatoms are distributed worldwide, and
form the dominant primary producers in sediments
such as marine, estuarine and mangrove environments.
However regarding these groups no work has been
carried out in Andaman Islands. Present work
forms the first report on this unattended group.
Further taxonomical studies along with scanning
electron microscope observation are needed for better
understanding of these groups and to improve the
quality of the taxonomical works.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Pondicherry University,
Puducherry for providing necessary facilities to carry
out this research and University fellowship for J.
Balasubramaniam. We also bring separate gratitude
 BALASUBRAMANIAM et al.:TWO NEW RECORD OF BENTHIC DIATOM FROM ANDAMAN ISLANDS
to Dr. V.T. Sridharan, Professor (Rtd), National
College, Tiruchirapalli and Dr. C. Kalavati, Professor
Emeritus, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam are
thanked for taxonomical identification. Additionally,
we would like to thank Principle Chief Conservator
of Forest, Andaman and Nicobar Islands for providing
permission to do this research in mangrove environment.
References
1 Unesco., The mangrove ecosystem: scientific aspects and
human impact: Reports of the seminar organized by Unesco
at Cali, Colombie, 27 Nov.-1 Dec. 1978. Colombie: Unesco,
(1979) 1–46.
2 Roy, D. S., Krishnan, P., George, G., Kaliyamoorthy, M., &
Bharathi, M. P. G., Mangroves of Andaman & Nicobar
Islands. (Central Agricultural Research Institute & Indian
Council of Agricultural Research, Port Blair, Andaman and
Nicobar Islands, India) 2009, 1-65.
3 Dagar, J. C., Mongia, A.D., & Bandhopadhya, A.K.,
Mangroves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. (Oxford and
IBH Publications, New Delhi) 1991, pp.166.
4 Navarro, J. N., Diatomeas en tapetes microbianos de Puerto
Rico. Guyana Bot., 45(1988) 275-281.
5 Cahoon, L. B. &. Safir K. A., Distribution and biomass of
benthic microalgae in Manukau Harbor, New Zealand. New
Zealand J. Mar & Fres wat Res., 36(2002), 257-266.
1239
6 Mitbavkar, S., & Anil, A. C., Diatoms of the
microphytobenthic community in tropical intertidal sand flat
influenced by monsoons: spatial and temporal variations.
Mar Bio. 148 (2006), 693–709.
7 Sanilkumar, M. G., Saramma, A. V., & Joseph, K. J.,
Vertical distribution of microphytobenthos in Cochin
estuary. J. Mar Bio Assoc India, 51(2009), 61–68.
8 Rajesh, K. M., Gowda, G., Menon, M., & Nazareth, A. P.,
Distribution of sediment chlorophyll-a and phaeo- pigments
in the brackish water ponds along the Nethravathi Estuary,
India. I nd. J. Fish, 48(2), 2001, p.145-149.
9 Fuerte, F. O. L., Beltrones, D. A. S., & Navarro, J. N., Benthic
diatoms associated with mangrove environment in the northwest
region of Mexico. (2010), ISBN: 978-607 7607-30-4.
10 Thomas, C.R., Identifying marine phytoplankton.(Academic
press – a division of Harcourt Brace & Company,
California, USA) 1997, pp.
11 Rao, V. N. R., & Lewin, J., Benthic marine diatom flora of
false bay, San Juan Island, Washington. Syesis, 9 (1976), 173
– 213.
12 Desikachary, T. V., Marine Diatoms of the Indian
Ocean Region. In: Desikachary, T.V. (Ed.), Atlas of
Diatoms.Madras (Madras Science Foundation). 5(1988).
13 Cibic. T., Blasutto, O., Falconi, F., & Umani, S. F.,
Microphytobenthic biomass, species composition and
nutrient availability in sublittoral sediments of the Gulf of
Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) Estu. Coast. Shelf. Sci (2007),
50-62.