Algological Studies of Microphytobenthos in the Northwestern Part of the Black Sea

Abstract

A critical and systematic revision of the species composition of the microphytobenthos of the northwestern part of the Black Sea was made. The author conducted long-term research (1980-2021), as well as analyzed retrospective data. In total, 524 species of microphytobenthos were found in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, which were part of 189 genera, 99 families, 53 orders, 12 classes, 8 divisions, 4 kingdoms, and 2 empires (domains). Representatives of division <i>Bacillariophyta</i> (413 species) prevalied over such <i>Cyanobacteria</i> (57), <i>Chlorophyta</i> (27), <i>Dinoflagellata</i> (16), <i>Euglenozoa </i>(4), <i>Heterokontophyta </i>(4), <i>Haptophyta</i> (2) and <i>Charophyta</i> (1). Ten new species are given for the northwestern water area, 8 new species (<i>Rhabdogloea smithii</i> (R. et F. Chodat) Komarek, <i>Cyanothece aeruginosa</i> (Nägeli) Komárek, <i>Calothrsx nidulans</i> Setchell et N.L. Gardner, <i>Fallacia nummularia </i>(Grev.) D.G. Mann, <i>Amphora kujalnitzkensis</i> (Gusl. et V Gerasimiuk) V. Gerasimiuk, <i>Pinnularia brauniana</i> (Grunow) Mills, <i>Geissleria ignota</i> (Krasske) Lange-Bert. et Metzeltin, <i>Euglena satelles </i>Brasl.-Spect.) of algae are represented for the Black Sea water area. Fifteen species were recorded as rare taxa for the northwestern part of the Black Sea. In connection with the revizia of the species composition of the Black Sea flora, 7 new taxonomic combinations of microscopic algae have been established.