NEW RECORDS AND RARE TAXA FOR THE FRESHWATER EPILITHIC DIATOMS OF COTE DIVOIRE

The aim of the present study was to contribute to knowledge of the freshwater epilithic diatoms flora of Cote dIvoire. Diatoms were sampled in February and July 2012 on glass slides previously immersed during a period of 30 days at ten stations.The species composition of new and rare taxa was compiled, accompanied by illustrations. Forty two taxa distributed among 16 genera, 8 families and 5 orders were recorded in the temporal survey.Based on species occurrence frequency, 32 rare, 2 occasional, and 8 common species were registered. According to geographic distribution, taxa recorded were mostly cosmopolitan (47.72%) and tropical (43.18%), while 9.09% were endemic.Taking into account their affinity towards pH, 3 classes of diatoms : acidophilic taxa (35.47%), indifferent taxa (59.52%) and alkaliphilic taxa (4.76%)were found in the Me River.