Abstract
In this study, the epilithic algae of Kahuzi-Biega National Park were investigated at the first time. The samples were collected from 10 streams in between 1900 and 2400 m asl during dry season (July-August 2007). Altogether, some 170 species have been encountered and identified, belonging to 61 genera were observed. Bacillariophyceae formed the most abundant group making up 61 species from 20 genera. This was followed by the Cyanophyceae with 47 species from 12 genera, the Chlorophyceae with 30 species from 15 genera, the Desmidiaceae with 17 species from 7 genera, the Euglenophyceae with 10 species from 4 genera and the Dinophyceae represented by 5 species from 2 genera. This algal community is very diversified and balanced (Shannon Weiner index varied between 4.44-4.67, Species Diversity between 15.81-13.31 and Equitability between 0.97-0.99). Frustulia rhomboides, Gomphonema angustatum, Melosira nyassensis, Navicula cuspidata, Nitzschia acicularis, Nitzschia filiformis, Synedra pulchella, Cladophora aeragrophila, Crucigenia cuneiformis, Mougeotia planctonica, Penium jenneri, Anabaena flos-aquae, Coelosphaerium nagelianum, Microcystis aeruginosa, Oscillatoria geminate, Synechocistis elongatum, Closterium aciculare, Cosmarium moniliferum, Ceratium hirundinella, Euglena acus and Phacus longicauda were more abundant and present in all stations surveyed. Comparatively, a higher number of species, 114 species was recorded at Mushuva River (station 4) and a lesser number, 91 species at Mugaba River (station 6).
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