title: Synchronous growth of a freshwater diatom Melosira italica under natural environment.
abstract: A filamentous diatom Melosira italica was collected at the beginning of rainy season from a shallow lake in the tropical savanna region in Brazil. Even the sample taken from surface water contained empty cells in high percentages. The number of cells per filament of M. italica showed a peculiar pulse-like frequency distribution with peak values at 4, 8, 12 and 16. Evidences of the synchronous cell division in this planktonic diatom under natural environment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Fukazawa, Setagaya-ku, 158, Tokyo, Japan.|Department of Hydrology, School of Engineering at São Carlos, University of São Paulo, 13560, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nobutada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, C.P. 384, 13560, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Marins
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, C.P. 384, 13560, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: José G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Tundisi