Abstract
The present study investigated the species composition and taxonomic similarity of periphytic algae on three species of macrophytes (Eichhornia azurea Kunth, Nymphaea amazonum Martius & Zuccarini and Oxycaryum cubense (Poeppig & Kunth) Lye) and also some limnological variables in a lake permanently connected to the Paraná River at the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil, from June 2008 to March 2009. During the study period, the Paraná River showed irregular flood pulses and indistinct hydrological periods. In this same period, 406 taxa of periphytic algae were identified, distributed mainly in the classes Zygnemaphyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae; and Cyanobacteria. Similarity analysis based on taxonomic composition of sampling periods and substrates showed low values and primarily represented a temporal segregation of periphytic algal community, mainly in June 2008 from others. Secondly, the microespacial segregation occurred to a lesser extent, according to the type of substrate, especially between O. cubense and others. It comprises first steps for understating the comparative structure of periphytic algal community in these distinct substrates at the Paraná River floodplain. Key words: Community structure, epiphyton, macrophyte, periphyton ecology, wetlands.
Highlights
Macrophytes consist of important centres for maintenance of the aquatic biodiversity (Mormul et al, 2010), with emphasis on periphyton, since they promote the availability of large surface area for colonization of this attached community (Algarte et al, 2009)
The present study aimed to investigate the composition and taxonomic similarity of periphytic algal communities attached on three aquatic macrophytes with different growth forms (E. azurea, emergent; N. amazonum, fixed floating; and O. cubense, epiphyte) in a permanent connected lake at the Upper Paraná River floodplain
Since diversity of macrophytes was an important factor which influences the periphytic community in this floodplain (Murakami et al, 2009), we expect that the taxonomic composition and similarity of periphytic algae in distinct substrates will be different under similar environmental conditions
Summary
Macrophytes consist of important centres for maintenance of the aquatic biodiversity (Mormul et al, 2010), with emphasis on periphyton, since they promote the availability of large surface area for colonization of this attached community (Algarte et al, 2009). Upper Paraná River floodplain (Rodrigues et al, 2003; Rodrigues and Bicudo, 2001; 2004; Algarte et al, 2006; 2014) These studies have focused on the periphytic communities from a unique natural substrate, the macrophyte Eichhornia azurea Kunth. The present study aimed to investigate the composition and taxonomic similarity of periphytic algal communities attached on three aquatic macrophytes with different growth forms (E. azurea, emergent; N. amazonum, fixed floating; and O. cubense, epiphyte) in a permanent connected lake at the Upper Paraná River floodplain. Since diversity of macrophytes was an important factor which influences the periphytic community in this floodplain (Murakami et al, 2009), we expect that the taxonomic composition and similarity of periphytic algae in distinct substrates will be different under similar environmental conditions
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