Common Diatom
Diatoma vulgare
Diatoma vulgare is a widespread diatom species primarily found in nutrient-rich flowing waters. The cells are rectangular and connected at their corners by mucilage pads to form characteristic zigzag or ribbon-like colonies. It possesses a rigid silica shell (frustule) consisting of two overlapping halves. As a primary producer, it forms an essential foundation for aquatic food chains.
Details
Oxygen production
High photosynthetic rate under sufficient light conditions, contributing significantly to oxygen levels.
Habitat function
Forms biofilms on stones and plants that serve as a habitat for microorganisms.
Nutrient uptake
Efficient uptake of silicate for frustule construction as well as nitrate and phosphate.
Food source for
Mayfly larvae, caddisfly larvae, snails, and various small crustaceans.
Human use
Used in paleolimnology to reconstruct past environmental conditions; diatomaceous earth extraction (fossil).
Ecology
Ecological role
Important primary producer in running waters; fixes carbon and serves as a food source for grazers.
Natural predators
Zooplankton, benthic invertebrates (e.g., mayfly larvae), and herbivorous fish.
Competitor species
Other diatoms (e.g., Navicula species) and filamentous green algae during nutrient competition.
Ecosystem service
Oxygen production and contribution to the self-purification of water bodies through nutrient sequestration.
Threats
Extreme eutrophication, herbicide input, and massive mechanical disturbances of the riverbed.
Scientific profile
Protection & threats
Main threats
Excessive eutrophication (hypertrophication), herbicide input from agriculture, thermal pollution (climate change/cooling water), and morphological degradation of water bodies (loss of hard substrate).