This study aimed to identify the taxa belonging to the genus Cosmarium present in two Environmental Protection Areas of the coastal plain of the northern Bahia, and contribute to the knowledge of its taxonomic composition and geographic distribution in Bahia State, Brazil. Samples were collected during the Summer (January to March 2007) and Winter (June to August 2007) using plankton net 20 µm size and fixed immediately in Transeau solution. Qualitative analysis and illustrations were conducted with the aid of an optical microscope and digital camera attached. Forty-three taxa were recorded, of these, three species and two varieties are new records for Brazil, and 28 species and three varieties are new records for the State of Bahia.
desmids; phytoplankton; taxonomy
