Genus Cosmarium Research Articles

COSMARIUM TAXICHONDRIFORME EICHLER & GUTWINSKI 1895 – THE FOURTH RECORD OF A RARE DESMID (ZYGNEMATOPHYCEAE, STREPTOPHYTA) IN CHERNIHIV POLESIE

Purpose. Adding new distribution and microphotographs of a rare taxon of the genus Cosmarium found in a small pond in Chernihiv Polesie. Review of the history of this taxon study in Ukraine and its taxonomy, infraspecific taxa characters are compared discussed. Methodology. The new locality of C. taxichondriforme is situated at the border of the landscape reserve of national significance "Zamglai" that is one of the largest eutrophic swamps in the Chernihiv Polesie. During the field research of the Zamglai bog complex, algal samples were collected from a small pond (2000 м2) situated along the road to Hrybova Rudnia village from route E95, at the distance of 1,8 km village and 0.8 km from the route. The samples were fixed with 4 % formalin for further study in laboratory conditions; pH and electrical conductivity of water were measured with a portable pH and conductivity meter. Microscopic examination of the samples was carried out using a light microscope equipped with a camera for taking microphotos. Identification manuals and monographs of the leading Ukrainian (Palamar-Mordvintseva, 1986, 2005) and European desmidiologists (Lenzenweger, 1999) were used for species identification. The iconotype provided in the original description of the newly recorded taxon (Eichler &Gutwiński, 1895) was used. Scientific novelty. The fourth record in the Ukrainian desmidioflora and a new locality in Chernihiv Polesie of a rare taxon from the genus Cosmarium is documented. Previously it was discovered 26 years ago (Palamar-Mordvitseva & Shindanovina, 1998) in Soseske bog nearby Olyshivka village Chernihiv rayon and oblast. This is the first publication of Ukrainian cells microphotographs. Conclusions. All records of this taxon in Ukraine are in Chernihiv Polesie. We hope this publication will provide good illustrative and informative basis for further findings of C. taxichondriforme in other regions of Ukraine. Sampling small water bodies should not be neglected.

COSMARIUM RETUSIFORME VAR. INCRASSATUM GUTWIŃSKI 1890 (ZYGNEMATOPHYCEAE, STREPTOPHYTA) – NEW RECORD OF RARE DESMID IN UKRAINE

Purpose. Adding a new taxon of the genus Cosmarium to the desmids flora of Chernihiv Polesie. Methodology. The landscape reserve of national significance “Zamglai” is one of the largest eutrophic swamps in the Chernihiv Polesie, which is an important refugium of hydrophilic phytodiversity of the forest zone, a place of concentration of a number of rare species of the boreal group and representatives of various biotic complexes. During the field research of the Zamglai bog complex, algal samples were collected and fixed with 4 % formalin for further study in laboratory conditions; pH and electrical conductivity of water were measured with a portable pH and conductivity meter. Microscopic examination of the samples was carried out using a light microscope equipped with a camera for taking microphotos. Identification manuals and monographs of the leading Ukrainian (Palamar-Mordvintseva, 1986, 2005) and European desmidiologists (Lenzenweger, 1999) were used for species identification.The iconotype provided in the original description of the newly recorded taxon (Gutwiński, 1892) was used. Scientific novelty. The second record in Ukrainian desmidioflora of a rare taxon from the genus Cosmarium is documented. Previously it was discovered 134 years ago (Gutwiński 1890) in the Roztochchia-Opillja mountain region, namely in the vicinity of Lemberg (former Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, a part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy – now Lviv, Ukraine). This taxon was found by the authors for the first time in the Ukrainian Polesie (Chernihiv Polesie). Description, cell dimensions and microphotographs in three views are included in this publication. Conclusions. The description and photographs of the three cell views of the taxon given in the article fill the gaps in the illustrative material of the national reference publications (Palamar-Mordvintseva 1986: 167, fig. 37 item 16) and create better conditions for identification and new records of this taxon in Ukraine. The distribution area of Cosmarium retusiforme var. incrassatum Gutwiński 1890 has been expanded. The flora of desmids of the Ukrainian Polesie is enriched with a new infraspecific taxon.

Diversity of the Genus Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae) from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

In the present exploration total of 14 Cosmarium species have been reported from nine sites of district Saharanpur (U.P.), India. Sampling was done from the Hindon River (a tributary of the Yamuna River). In this exploration, Cosmarium awadhense was more dominant, while Cosmarium isthmochondrum var. isthmochondrum and Cosmarium subalatum recorded only single site. S1 24%, S2 19%, S3 16%, S4 3%, S5 not reported (0%), S6 11%, S7 6%, S8 16%, S9 5% species of Cosmarium was reported.

Periphytic algal flora of the low Doce river, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, after ore tailings flow, 2: ornamented cell-wall Cosmarium (Zygnematophyceae, Desmidiaceae)

ABSTRACT Present study aimed at carrying out the taxonomic survey of the ornamented cell-wall Cosmaria from the low Doce river region, Espírito Santo State. Material studied was collected between months October 2018 and February 2020. Thirty-three taxa were identified, from which 32 are new additions to the Espírito Santo State desmid flora, five are new records for Brazil (C. blyttii cf. var. basiornatum, C. cf. dentiferum, C. monomazum var. polymazum, C. sphagnicola var. pachygonum, and C. subcostatum var. subcostatum), and one for South America (C. isthmochondrum cf. var. biseriatum). Present study increased the knowledge on the genus Cosmarium in Espírito Santo State by adding both taxonomic and ecological information.

Assessment of Charophyta Flora and Ecological Status in Two High-Mountain Lakes (Rize, Turkey)

Abstract The benthic algal composition of Charophyta in the Avusor Great Lake and Koçdüzü Great Lake at the altitude of about 3,000 m a.s.l. was investigated on 21 August 2019. A total of 112 species, belonging to Zygnematophyceae, were identified. The genera Cosmarium (44), Staurastrum (16), Closterium (15), and Euastrum (13) were most abundant. The members of filamentous charophyta were represented by two species. Bioindicator species characterize water in both lakes as clear, Class 2 of water quality and the lakes ecosystem as mesotrophic. The partly unexpected presence of certain desmids taxa, i.e., species characteristic of eutrophic water, was recorded.

Occurrence of Genus Cosmarium in Machagora Dam, Chhindwara District Madhya Pradesh, India

This paper presents a pioneer investigation of (Desmid) Cosmarium species with the aim of documenting, description and exploring of freshwater habitats from Machagora Dam, Chhindwara. The result of the present study reveals the presence of 11 taxa belonging to family Desmidiaceae of the class Chlorophyceae. The study area showed rich algal (Desmid) Diversity. Genus Cosmarium includes Cosmarium angulatum, Cosmarium contractum,Cosmarium crenulatum, Cosmarium cucumis, Cosmarium granatum, Cosmarium maculatiforme, Cosmarium moniliforme, Cosmarium quadratulum, Cosmariumquadratum, Cosmarium quadrum,Cosmarium trilobulatum. All of these are indicators of oligotrophic water.

How hidden is the diversity of the genus Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae) in the Brazilian Caatinga?

The Caatinga domain is the largest and most diverse tropical semiarid ecoregion of South America; however, little is known about the diversity of desmids it harbors, especially the genus Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae, Zygnematophyceae). Our study contributes to the knowledge of Cosmarium in the Caatinga through the report of 42 interesting taxa, including a new species (Cosmarium imperiale), 22 new records for South America, and 19 additions to the desmid flora from Brazil. The samples were gathered from periphytic material from the “Pantanal dos Marimbus” in the Chapada Diamantina region of Northeast Brazil. We provide taxonomic notes, ecological information, including habitat conditions with limnological data, and updated global distributions for all taxa of Cosmarium. A complementary quantitative study was performed during the last year of sampling (2018), which revealed that most taxa have their highest densities in the months with low precipitation and when the water's conductivity and transparency are greater. Our results also have implications for the conservation of the biota from Marimbus do Baiano and understand South America's desmids' biogeography since some rare taxa identified here were previously only known from other continents such as Europe and Africa.

A new desmid (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) species from New Zealand, Cosmarium wilsonii spec. nov.

ABSTRACTA small pond in Hinewai Reserve, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury has revealed a phytoplankton bloom consisting of an unusually minute desmid which has consequently been difficult to observe. It is described, assigned to the genus Cosmarium and compared with superficially similar species. It has unique features which justify assigning it to a new species Cosmarium wilsonii David B. Williamson & C.F. Carter. It is named after the Reserve kaitiaki (manager) Dr H. D. Wilson.

Occurrence of Cosmarium species in Khadakpurna reservoir, Buldana district – Maharashtra, India

The present investigation deals with the study of genus Cosmarium from Khadakpurna reservoir, It is constructed on Khadakpurna River of Godavari basin near Garkhed village, Deulgaon Raja tehsil in Buldana district, Maharashtra, India. During this study period twelve different species of Cosmarium has been described viz. 1. Cosmarium pygmaeum Archer, 2. Cosmarium portianum Arc. var. nephroideum Witter., 3. Cosmarium reniforme (Ralfs) Arch., 4. Cosmarium subprotumidum Nordst. var. gregorii Roy et Biss., 5. Cosmarium polygonum (Naeg.) Arch., 6. Cosmarium hammeri Reinsch var. Schmidlei Gronblad et Scott, 7. Cosmarium regnellii Wille, 8. Cosmarium lundellii Delp. var. ellipticum W. et G.S. West, 9. Cosmarium awadhense Prasad et Mehrotra, 10. Cosmarium undulatum Corda ex Ralfs var. minutum Wittr. Forma Suxena et Venkateswarlu. 11. Cosmarium calcareum Witter. 12. Cosmarium furcatospermum W. et G.S. West. All these taxa are reported first time from the reservoir. Such species occurrence in freshwater, hence these water body is indicated oligotrophic or some cases mesotrophic also and it is useful for irrigation, fisheries and with normal treatment it is useful for drinking purposes.

Periphytic Cosmarium (Zygnematophyceae, Desmidiaceae) in lentic environments of the Upper Paraná River floodplain: Taxonomy and ecological aspects

Abstract Aim A taxonomic study of the species of the genus Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs (Desmidiaceae) was conducted in two lentic environments of the Upper Paraná River Floodplain (Garças and Patos lakes). Methods The samples were collected in November 2016. Two petioles of Eichhornia azurea (Sw) Kunth were sampled and analyzed qualitatively. Results Six species, nine varieties, and three forms were identified, with five taxa being common to both lakes, nine in Garças Lake, and four in Patos Lake. Of this, thirteen species represent the first records for the floodplain environment. Conclusion This study contributes to the knowledge of the biodiversity of this region, providing support for future ecological studies and biomonitoring.

New or otherwise interesting desmid taxa from the Bangweulu region (Zambia). 3. Genus Cosmarium (Desmidiales)

Background and aims In a third contribution to the desmid flora of the Bangweulu wetlands in Zambia a selection of species from the genus Cosmarium is discussed for their taxonomy and geographical di

Desmid flora in the lakes of the Khrebtovyi Nature Reserve in the Polar Ural (Russia) / Dvyniečių flora Chrebtovyj draustinio ežeruose Šiaurės Urale (Rusija)

Abstract Fourteen thermokarst lakes and one mountain lake were explored in the study period. A total of 116 species of desmids belonging to 22 genera were identified. The genera Cosmarium (29), Staurastrum (18) and Closterium (13) were most abundant. The highest number of species (88) was recorded in the habitats with Sphagnum and brown mosses. Twenty-seven species and one variety of desmids were observed for the first time in the Polar Ural Mountains.

Insights from pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and testate amoebae into the evolution of Lake Simcoe

Comparing the distribution of little-known non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP) with pollen and testate amoebae (thecamoebians) in a long piston core from the main basin of Lake Simcoe illustrates their potential as paleolimnological indicators. Sediments rich in spruce and pine pollen in core LS07 PC5 contain sparse, low-diversity microfossil assemblages recording cold, oligotrophic waters (mainly the testate amoeba Difflugia oblonga, the desmid genus Cosmarium, and Pediastrum integrum). Marked climate warming reconstructed from pollen data using transfer functions is associated with a sharp increase in algal NPP abundance and diversity, including Botryococcus spp., the desmid genus Staurastrum, and Pediastrum simplex. A Centropyxis-dominated testate amoeba fauna, and sparse, low-diversity NPP record slightly brackish conditions attributed to the early Holocene drought. Diverse benthic desmid and Pediastrum spp. (including P. brevicorne) floras, together with abundant Botryococcus, record warm, mesotrophic waters associated with a hemlock-maple-beech pollen assemblage from which January temperatures several degrees warmer than today were reconstructed. A decline in NPP abundance and diversity and the re-establishment of a Centropyxis-dominated testate amoeba fauna supports drought as a cause for the regional “hemlock decline”. The most marked change in aquatic microfossil assemblages coincides with anthropogenic impact. The appearance of dinoflagellate cysts and a marked increase in difflugiid testate amoebae (notably Cucurbitella tricuspis) records eutrophication below the ragweed rise that is attributed to the agricultural activities of the Wendat Nation. Two phases of anthropogenic impact are distinguished within the ragweed zone: (1) an NPP assemblage nearly devoid of desmids but rich in Peridinium wisconsinense and Pediastrum boryanum, attributed to Euro-Canadian land clearing and agriculture, and (2) an assemblage rich in Botryococcus, Peridinium willei/P. volzii, Codonella cratera, and meso-eutrophic desmids with planktonic life habits, is attributed to urbanization and industrialization.

Adição de registros de Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs (Conjugatophyceae, Desmidiaceae) para a região Nordeste do Brasil

RESUMO A partir do estudo taxonômico de desmídias em ambientes lóticos e lênticos da Área de Proteção Ambiental Litoral Norte, Bahia, Brasil, foram catalogados 35 táxons pertencentes ao gênero Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs, dos quais 33 estão sendo registrados pela primeira vez para a flora ficológica do Nordeste do Brasil, incluindo táxons pouco conhecidos e outros redescobertos após 100 anos da última citação, como C. trinodulum Nordst. var. brasiliense Borge e Cosmarium horridum Borge. Os materiais estudados provieram de amostras coletadas em dois períodos, no verão (janeiro-março de 2009) e no inverno (junho-agosto de 2009). São fornecidas descrições e comentários com táxons afins, bem como ampliada a distribuição geográfica destes no Brasil.

Additions to the six taxa of the genus Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae, Charophyta) in Korea

Abstract The samples were collected at lowland swamps, reservoirs, mountainous wetlands, and sphagnum bogs from 2012 to 2014. The followings were newly recorded in Korea: two species, three varieties, and one form, including six taxa of the genus Cosmarium. The newly recorded Korean species were Cosmarium bioculatum var. hians , C. bireme , C. pseudobire -mum, C. nitidulum var. pseudorectangulare, C. trilobulatum f. retusum , and C. trilobulatum var. depressum . The flora of the genus Cosmarium contains 303 taxa in total in Korea. The specimens were cultured and deposited on the algal culture collection of Kyonggi University (ACKU) and National Institute of Botanical Resources (NIBR). Key words: flora, freshwater algae, genus Cosmarium , newly recorded species of Korea INTRODUCTION Desmids, which are exclusively freshwater algae, at-tracted the attention of early microscopists due to their forms. In particular, they exhibit great diversity in their external morphology and show a remarkably complex cell symmetry. As consequence of their diversity, more than 6,000 species have been described from fresh water in all parts of the world (Brook 1981).

Genus Cosmarium Corda from Thrissur Kole lands, Kerala

<p>The present investigation deals with sixty eight taxa of <em>Cosmarium</em> Corda collected from the Kole lands of Thrissur, Kerala. The Kole lands constitute part of Vembanad-Kol, which is declared as one of the Ramsar sites of Kerala. All the taxa are systematically described with illustrations and their distribution in India. Of these, six taxa are first time reported from India and twenty nine taxa are new additions to the algal flora of Kerala. <em>C. geminatum </em>Lund. var. <em>ornatum </em>Behre, <em>C. </em><em>indentatum</em> Gronbl. var. <em>ellipticum</em> Scott & Gronbl., <em>C. </em><em>pseudoconnatum</em> Nordst. var. <em>constictum </em>West, <em>C. </em><em>quadrifarium</em> Lund., <em>C. </em><em>quadriverrucosum</em> West & West var. <em>undulatum </em>Scott & Prescott and <em>C. </em><em>subturgidum</em> (Turn.) Schmidle are the new additions to the desmid flora of India.</p>

Qualitative study of epilithic algal diversity spectrum in Lidder stream of Lidder Valley (Kashmir Himalayas)

The present study was carried out in Lidder stream in Lidder Valley of Kashmir Himalayas, to show a typical taxonomic composition of epilithic algae. The epilithic algal community was represented by 144 taxa belonging to four classes namely, Bacillariophyceae with104 species (72%), Chlorophyceae with 19 species (13%), Cyanophyceae with 12 species (8%), Euglenophyceae with 4 species (3%) and Phylum Protozoa with 3 species (2%) while classes Chrysophyceae and Dinophyceae contributed 1 species (1%) each. Bacillariophyceae was represented by some dominant forms like Navicula (16 species), Nitzschia (11 species), Cymbella (9 species) and Gomphonema (7 species). Among blue green algae (Cyanophyceae), genus Spirulina recorded 3 species and Merismopedia registered 2 species. While in Chlorophyceae, the highest number of species was documented by genus Cosmarium (3 species), moreover Closterium, Euastrum and Ulothrix registered 2 species each. Bacillariophyceae was the predominant class at all the sites with the highest contribution of 104 species at sites S1c, S2d, S2g and S4 (first year) and S1a, S1b, S2d, S2e, S2f, S2g, and S4 (second year) while the lowest of 98 species was recorded at site S3 during the entire study, the rest groups were moderately to least represented. Key words: Taxonomic, epilithic algae, Lidder Valley, Kashmir, Himalayas.

Ultrastructure of Cosmarium strains (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) collected from various geographic locations shows species-specific differences both at optimal and stress temperatures.

Plant species collected from various climatic zones and stressed in vitro at various temperatures reveal changes in cellular ultrastructure which are in accordance with the climate at their sampling sites. This observation initiated the investigation to establish if stress at different temperatures may cause diverse extents of changes in the ultrastructure of microalgal strains originating from different geographic zones. The study revealed that the six Cosmarium strains demonstrated ultrastructural characteristics that were consistent with their source location under optimal, low and high temperature conditions, pointing to their preference to specific climatic niches. Interestingly, chloroplasts of all of the Cosmarium strains correspond to a sun-adapted type, which is concomitant with earlier statements that these strains are rendered as high-light adapted algae. The Cosmarium strains developed multiple ultrastructural responses which enabled them to cope with excessive temperatures, occasionally occurring in desmid natural habitats. The appearance of cubic membranes and increased number of plastoglobules may represent the first line in protection against high-temperature stress, which is accompanied by the alteration of protein synthesis and the appearance of stress granules in order to preserve cell homeostasis. However, the prolonged warm- or cold-temperature stress obviously initiated the programmed cell death, as concluded from the appearance of several ultrastructural features observed in all of the Cosmarium strains. The fair acclimation possibilities and the ability to undergo programmed cell death in order to save the population, certainly favor the cosmopolitan distribution of the genus Cosmarium.

К флоре конъюгат (Streptophyta, Conjugatophyceae) Валдайского района национального парка «Валдайский» (Новгородская область, Россия)

76 species, 3 varieties and 1 form from 21 genera of Streptophyta, Conjugatophyceae (Actinotaenium, Bambusina, Closterium, Cosmarium, Cylindrocystis, Euastrum, Gonatozygon, Haplotaenium, Micrasterias, Mougeotia, Netrium, Penium, Planotaenium, Pleurotaenium, Raphidiastrum, Spirogyra, Spirotaenia, Staurastrum, Staurodesmus, Tetmemorus, Xanthidium) were found in the basins of the Valdai District area of the National Park «Valdaiskiy» (Novgorod Region, Russia). The list of species is annotated with data on the species distribution in 55 collecting sites of 29 water bodies of the national park, and species abundance in collected samples according to Luknitskaya (2009). Among above mentioned genera, the genus Cosmarium is represented by the greatest number of species (20). Staurastrum chaetoceros has been found for the first time for the Novgorod Region.

The dominance of desmids in tropical monomictic lakes (SE Brazil)

The dominance of desmids in tropical monomictic lakes (SE Brazil) Disturbance is a concept used to explain the structure of communities. This concept emphasizes the effects of disturbance on the "break" of biomass stability in stable environments and the opportunities for the development of other species. The major disturbances in natural warm monomictic lakes include the contrasting effects of seasonal changes and long-term in thermal stability, as well as short-term changes in the mixing layer. This study investigated the effects of disturbance and abiotic environmental factors on the biomass of desmids, based on samples collected monthly from January 2002 through December 2006 in the limnetic region of two natural lakes, Carioca (small and shallow) and Dom Helvecio (large and deep), located in RioDoce State Park,Minas GeraisState,southeast Brazil.At Lake DomHelvecio, the extensive banksofaquatic macrophytes, the lake's dendritic shape and the period of clear water produced higher richness values and facilitated the occurrence of relatively large (maximum linear dimension >20 µm) desmid species, primarily species belonging to Staurastrum and Staurodesmus. In contrast, less richness and a dominant group of relatively small (maximum linear dimension <20 µm) desmid species, especially species belonging to the genus Cosmarium, were observed at Lake Carioca in conjunction with a sparse macrophyte cover. The lakes showed a seasonal thermal stratification characterized by high temperature (25-32 ◦ C), thermal stability and higher desmid biomass. The stability of the epilimnetic desmid biomass was an indicator of the adaptive flexibility of the desmid species and the capacity of the biomass to recover after the mixing period.