Silica-scaled Chrysophytes from Portugal

Phytoplankton samples from lakes, reservoirs and ponds in Central Portugal were obtained and the scale-bearing chrysophytes investigated by electron microscopy. This is the first study on the occurrence and distribution of these organisms in Portugal and in the Iberian Peninsula as a whole. It reports the presence of 23 species of the genera Chrysosphaerella, Paraphysomonas, Spiniferomonas, Mallomonas and Synura . Most of the species found are of worldwide distribution but a few rare organisms were present in some samples. To conclude, the perspectives of future research in Portugal are briefly outlined.