Bent diatom
Rhoicosphenia abbreviata
This diatom is characterized by its wedge-shaped cells, which are distinctly curved in girdle view. It usually lives attached to aquatic plants or stones and is widely distributed in both freshwater and brackish water environments. As a primary producer, it plays an important role in aquatic food webs and serves as a bioindicator for water quality.
Details
Oxygen production
High; contributes significantly to oxygen saturation in the periphyton.
Habitat function
Colonizes surfaces and creates microhabitats for bacteria and microscopic organisms.
Nutrient uptake
Efficient uptake of nitrate and phosphate from the water.
Food source for
Benthic invertebrates and fish larvae.
Human use
Used in biological water monitoring (indicator species).
Ecology
Ecological role
Important primary producer and oxygen supplier; forms the basis for the grazer food web.
Natural predators
Zooplankton, snails, mayfly larvae, and other grazing invertebrates.
Competitor species
Other periphytic diatoms such as Gomphonema species.
Ecosystem service
Oxygen production and sequestration of carbon dioxide in aquatic systems.
Threats
Excessive eutrophication, herbicide input, and extreme acidification of water bodies.
Scientific profile
Protection & threats
Main threats
Herbicide pollution from agriculture, extreme acidification of water bodies, and morphological degradation of riparian zones.