Diatoms and databases - A short review

It is becoming increasingly obvious that the transmission of information is crucial in the global scientific context. One only has to think of the con sultation of type specimens from a diatom herbarium or the verification of an identification through electronic consultation of a photographic library . Computerized databases on diatoms could become indispensable tools suppor ting taxonomic uniformity. We are highlighting some advance in the field of electronic archiving diatom information and this should be regarded only a s a short review. Examples are taken from various countries who have create d electronic databases on diatoms. At the beginning of this new millennium, we will assist in a proliferation of websites devoted to diatom research. If we work together, we can develop the basis for a new era of research in diatomology, accord greater importance to computerizing the databases and e nsuring their transmissibility to our colleagues all over the world.