PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE DIATOM FLORA OF COASTAL PERIPHITIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE RED SEA AND SUEZ GULF, EGYPT.

Diatom flora of the coastal assemblages of the red Sea and Suez gulf in Egypt was investigated. 191 diatom taxa of diatoms were identified; 58 genera and 10 families. Naviculaceae (101 taxa), fragilariaceae (35 taxa), bacillariaceae (20 taxa and achnanthaceae (12 taxa) were the most common families. The data indicate that diatom populations of the study area appeared to be mainly dependent on the growth of certain genera viz; Mastogloia, Nitzschia, Amphora and Diploneis. Diatom assemblages were characteristic of tropical/ subtropical marine waters, however, a number of alloctonous diatom species were also recorded.