Language: English, with bilingual abstract and introductory chapters in English and Itlaian
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Because it is isolated from continental Italy, it might be argued that endemic diatom species could occur there – either endemic for the Tyrrhenian archipelago or of circum-Mediterranean distribution. Initial investigation of various permanent waters, particularly ground-water springs and wells of Sardinia yielded no taxa other than those known from continental Italy or other parts of Europe. In temporary bodies of water, however, especially in large rock pools on basalt, diatom assemblages including many rare or unknown species were detected. Of the 77 taxa from Sardinia new to science, 76 are here described. Two additional species from South America and the European continent are Sardinia. More than 40 other morphodemes are discussed and/or illustrated by photomicrographs, but these are still unidentified or uncertain new taxa.