Vegetos

Abstract

Diatoms have evolved as the most successful inhabitants of aquatic ecosystems. These eukaryotic microalgae, belonging to division Bacillariophyta, are ubiquitous and regulate more than one fourth of primary production as key organisms at the base of food chain. The present review documents an update of their diversity and ecology from various habitats. It also provides an insight into the factors affecting and responsible for designing their distribution throughout the planet. Various studies showed a huge diversity of diatoms with wide variety of habitats ranging from freshwater streams, lakes, rivers, oceans and eutrophic water bodies. It also provides an overview of various directions in which research on diatoms are being carried out. The available reports presented the current scenario in diatoms with a perspective to understand the phenomenon that underlies in their skill of survival. This diversity of diatoms is also associated with various applications that can be used for the betterment of society and environment.