Intraspecific Variation in the Temperature Niche Component of the Diatom Skeletonema costatum from Korean Coastal Waters

Final biomass yields (peak optical density) and growth rates (divisions/day) of seven clones of Skeletonema costatum from Korean coastal waters were measured to understand their intraspecific variations in the light intensity niche component under $25^{\circ}C$ condition. Daily growth rates of 6 of 7 S. costatum, clones were maximum at 6000 lux while that of YS4, a neritic clone, was maximum at 9000 lux. The final biomass yields of 4 of the 7 S. costatum clones were maximum at the lowest light intensity of 2000 lux. Minimum final biomass yields were found at 9000 lux in all the S. costatum clones other than an estuarine clone, HDC9. The intraspecific variations of the mean growth rate and mean final biomass yield under each of the three different light intensity in terms of the coefficient of variation were not greater than 10% in any of the 7 S. costatum clones.