Abstract
Results from a study on the epilithic diatom communities of a polluted river (Rio Grande de Tarcoles basin) and an unpolluted river (Rio Savegre) in the Central and Southern part of Costa Rica are presented. In this context the taxonomy of diatoms, the most abundant group of algae found in both rivers, is discussed. Altogether 125 diatom taxa were identified in the epilithic communities of these two rivers. The most abundant species in the R. Grande de Tarcoles basin were: Navicula goeppertiana, Gomphonema parvulum, G. sp. aff. pumilum, Nitzschia palea, N. amphibia, N. inconspicua, N. clausii, N. frustulum, Navicula seminulum and N. schroeterii var. escambia. The most abundant species in the R. Savegre were: Achnanthes minutissima, Cymbella sinuata, Rhoicosphenia abbreviata, Cocconeis placentula, Gomphonema rhombicum, Nitzschia fonticola, Fragilaria pinnata and Achnanthes subhudsonis. In addition, Navicula cryptotenella, N. capitatoradiata, Fragilaria ulna and Achnanthes sp. aff. ricula were distributed u...
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