Cocconeis placentula

November, 2002. On the macrophyte thalli, we observed that both trichomal surfaces of C. fracta and V. cf. dichotoma and polymeric tubes of N. ramosissima were settled by microepiphytic assemblages. The structures of microepiphytes developing on clay surfaces covered with brown fur were most complex. The papillar non-branched shoots of V. cf. dichotoma were completely covered with Tabularia fasciculata. These needle-shaped diatom cells formed palisade-like layers at the surface of the host. This amalgamation increased the volume of the epiphyte/basiphytic complex by 2-2.5-times when compared to the volume of the basiphyte alone. At some sites, the curly shoots of V. cf. dichotoma were covered with a layer of Cocconeis placentula var. euglipta cells. 

N. graciloides, N. phyllepta, Navicula crucifera, A. coffea ormis, and A. subholsatica in the assemblages. Also, Cocconeis placentula var. euglipta was present as attached but individual cells on terminal basiphyte shoots. Mature Cladophora branches were inhabited rather densely by C. placentula var. euglipta and T. fasciculata. 

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