Abstract
Periphytic algal community in artificial and natural substratum in a tributary of the Rosana reservoir (Corvo Stream, Paraná State, Brazil). This study evaluated the heterogeneity in periphytic algal community, under the influence of time colonization on artificial substratum. We also examined which abiotic variables most influenced the community in natural and artificial substratum. Egeria najas Planchon was used as natural substratum, and a plastic plant, as artificial. This experiment was carried out in a lateral arm from Rosana Reservoir, formed by Corvo Stream (Paranapanema river basin), in the period from November 21st to December 12nd, 2003, characterized as a warm and rainy period. Changes in species composition were assessed using the similarity indices. 495 taxa were registered in the phycoperiphytic community, distributed in 133 genera and 11 classes. Zygnemaphyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae presented higher species number, in both substrata. Staurodesmus, Closterium, Staurastrum and Cosmarium (Desmidiales); Gomphonema and Eunotia (Pennales); Characium, Scenedesmus and Desmodesmus (Chlorococcales); Anabaena and Aphanocapsa (Nostocales and Chroococcales, respectively) were the most species-rich genera. The epiphytic community reached the highest species richness in the 15th successional day. Regardless the substratum type, the number of species was probably related to the high concentrations of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen).
Highlights
The species diversity plays an important role in the processes of production, consumption, respiration and decaying, mainly at littoral regions, since the aquatic vegetation is generally associated to different communities
The increase in species richness observed during the first days of colonization in the artificial substratum, was possibly due to the propagules present in the environment, since the habitat was not yet colonized, the migration processes favor the colonization and succession of species, allowing the composition of colonizing and opportunistic species of diatoms, as well as Chlorococcales, Desmidiales and filamentous algae, as Bulbochaete and Oedogonium
The immigration is an important process in the composition, colonization and increase of periphytic algae in artificial substratum (HILLEBRAND; SOMMER, 2000; PETERSON, 1996; STEVENSON; PETERSON, 1989)
Summary
The species diversity plays an important role in the processes of production, consumption, respiration and decaying, mainly at littoral regions, since the aquatic vegetation is generally associated to different communities. The periphyton is a sessile community that responds punctually to environmental conditions This community presents short life cycle (3 - 10 days) which allows quick answers to environmental changes (HAMBROOK, 2002; RODRIGUES et al, 2003; WU et al, 2009). The studies about the distribution and mobility of algae from this community, when analyzed in short time scale, are more suitable due to population changes (WETZEL, 1983). This distribution extremely homogeneous of periphyton and its interaction with natural substrata, coupled to the need to standardize the community development time and the substratum nature, have motivated the use of artificial substrata. The review made by Cattaneo and Amireault (1992) indicated that 60% from published papers had used different types of artificial substrata
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