Cocconeis imperatrix A. Schmidt (Figure 52)

Literature: (Al-Handal and Wulff 2008b, p. 426, figs. 46– 49; Manguin 1960, p. 305, figs. 358, 359; Riaux-Gobin and Romero 2003, p. 28, figs. 29–31, pl. 20, figs. 1–7, pl. 21, figs. 1–8).

Description: Length 38–65 µm, width 25–44 µm, striae (raphe valve) 3–4 in 10 µm.

Remarks: Scott and Thomas (2005) considered Cocconeis imperatrix as a synonym of Cocconeis fasciolata . Studying valve structure of both taxa in Potter Cove revealed noticeable variation between them so that it can be considered to be a separate entity (Al-Handal and Wulff 2008b).

Ecology and distribution: A marine species mostly reported from Antarctica. Common in Potter Cove.