Abstract
Abstract Aim Present study evaluated the life forms and taxonomic structure of the periphytic algae community on Utricularia foliosa L. (modified leaf and stem) and artificial substrate during the four seasons in a tropical shallow reservoir. Methods We evaluated the periphyton on natural and artificial substrate in order to evaluate the influence of substrate type on the taxonomic structure of algal community. Monospecific stands of U. foliosa were selected. Water and periphyton sampling were performed within U. foliosa stands in the autumn (April/2010), winter (July/2010), spring (November/2010) and summer (February/2011). Nylon thread was used as the artificial substrate. The community structure was evaluated through life forms, species richness, diversity and species composition. Results Species diversity was significantly different only among seasons. The life forms and species richness were different between substrate types and seasons. Entangled filamentous algae had higher biovolume in the periphyton on artificial substrate and unicellular flagellated algae had higher biovolume on natural substrate. Species composition changed among the seasons and species descriptors differed among substrates types. Species-level taxonomic classification responded clearly to the substrate type. Conclusions We concluded that the taxonomic structure and life forms of periphytic algae on artificial substrate poorly represented the natural periphyton on U. foliosa. The type of substrate strongly influenced the periphyton–Utricularia relationship.
Highlights
Aquatic macrophytes play a significant role in the functioning and structure of biological communities of lacustrine ecosystems (Thomaz & Cunha, 2010)
We concluded that the taxonomic structure and life forms of periphytic algae on artificial substrate poorly represented the natural periphyton on U. foliosa
Our results showed that life forms, richness, diversity and species composition of periphytic algae were influenced by substrate type and seasonality, and the strong interaction between factors was observed
Summary
Aquatic macrophytes play a significant role in the functioning and structure of biological communities of lacustrine ecosystems (Thomaz & Cunha, 2010). Submerged macrophytes are frequently covered by periphytic algae and the association between macrophytes and periphyton suggests the existence of ecological interactions (Jones et al, 2000; Olsen et al, 2015). Studies have suggested the existence of a positive interaction between macrophytes and periphyton, mainly because macrophytes may be a source of nutrients for the periphyton (Burkholder, 1996). Some species of macrophytes can release allelopathic compounds which inhibit periphyton growth (Erhard & Gross, 2006). Another possibility is the existence of neutral interactions, in which the macrophyte is an area for colonization and the nutrient supply to the periphyton is insignificant (Burkholder, 1996).
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