Ecological Characteristics of Species of the Genus Micrasterias C. Agardh ex Ralfs (Family Desmidiaceae) in West Siberia (Russia)

Abstract

Data on the species diversity of the genus Micrasterias C. Agardh ex Ralfs representatives from water bodies of West Siberia and their occurrence in zones and subzones are generalized. Twenty-three specific and intraspecific taxa from the order Desmidiales are now known. The representatives of the family occur in mosaic order in the entire area of West Siberia. The highest number of taxa (15) was revealed in the middle taiga; significantly fewer were determined in southern and northern taiga, 9 and 8 taxa, respectively; and 3’5 taxa were in other zones. No such species were discovered in the steppe zone. Thirteen species (18 taxa) of the genus were found in lakes of different types, 5 species (7 taxa) in watercourses, 4 (5 taxa) were found in swamps, and 4 species were detected in temporal water bodies. The analysis performed on the adaptation of the species to environmental conditions demonstrated that representatives of this genus might serve as indicators of acid and brackish water. In relation to mineralization, halophobes are predominant (11 taxa) and acidophilus plants (15 taxa) predominate as pH indicators.