Abstract
AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the algal periphytic community structure on substrates with differing surface roughness in early and longer-term colonization; METHODS: Periphyton was sampled after 30 days (June 24 to July 24, 2008) and 5 days (July 07 to July 12, 2010) substrate exposure during dry season. Plastic slides were used as artificial substrate. Treatments were smooth surface (control), low roughness, medium roughness and high roughness. Samples were collected for limnological condition and periphyton (chlorophyll-a, AFDM, algal biovolume and density, species richness and diversity) analysis; RESULTS: Periphytic biomass, algal density and biovolume had no significant difference among treatments after 30 and 5 days colonization time. Taxonomic similarity was the lowest among treatments and the greatest difference occurred between control and treatments with roughness surface. Bacillariophyceae biovolume decreased with increasing surface roughness. Adherence forms, algal classes and species descriptors were significantly different after 5 days colonization time, especially in medium e high roughness surface. In the colonization advanced phase only species descriptors differ among treatments. Periphytic algae with pads and stalks for adherence decreased with increasing surface roughness. CONCLUSION: Substrate physical properties had little or no influence on periphyton biomass accumulation, total density and biovolume in this study, but algal assemblages were sensitive to changes in the microtopography. More studies are needed to increase understanding of the relation substrate-periphyton in tropical ecosystems.
Highlights
Periphyton development can be influenced by numerous abiotic and biotic factors, which act directly or indirectly on different scales (Stevenson, 1996)
The substrate type can influence the periphytic community structure in the micro-environmental scale (Burkholder, 1996), because physical and chemical characteristics of the substrates often provide more than an inert surface for community (Bergey, 2005; Murdock and Dodds, 2007)
The topography of the microhabitat is defined by irregularities on the substrate surface, which may influence biomass accumulation (Johnson, 1994), cell adhesion (Sekar et al, 2004) and algae susceptibility to grazing and scouring (Bergey, 1999, Bergey and Weaver, 2004)
Summary
Periphyton development can be influenced by numerous abiotic and biotic factors, which act directly or indirectly on different scales (Stevenson, 1996). The substrate type can influence the periphytic community structure in the micro-environmental scale (Burkholder, 1996), because physical and chemical characteristics of the substrates often provide more than an inert surface for community (Bergey, 2005; Murdock and Dodds, 2007). In non-living substrates such as rocks, substrate chemical composition may not affect biomass accumulation and species composition (Bergey, 2008). The physical characteristics of the substrate, such as microtopography and orientation, may significantly affect the community structure of periphytic algal (Burkholder, 1996; Bergey, 2005; Murdock and Dodds 2007). The surface irregularities can minimize water flow action around the substrate, modifying the diffusion boundary layers (De Nicola and McIntire, 1990, Dodds and Biggs, 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
