Fottea 9(1): 121-133, 2009 | DOI: 10.5507/fot.2009.011

Seasonal succession of epipelic algae: a case study on a mesotrophic pond in a temperate climate.

Jana Špačková1, Petr Hašler1, Jana Štěpánková1,2, Aloisie Poulíčková1
1 Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Svobody 26, CZ-771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic
2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Palacký University, Purkrabská 2, CZ-779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic

The seasonal succession of algal species in the epipelon of shallow, mesotrophic pond Bezedník (Czech Republic) with special attention to diatoms (particularly Sellaphora) is described. The composition of epipelic algal assemblages changed over time in both higher taxonomic groupings and species representations. Spring and autumn were characterized by a dominance of diatoms; euglenophytes had their maximum in June and cyanobacteria were typical for the summer season. The occurrence of algal species also correlated with water temperature. However, although the growth of some species was restricted to a particular month, other species or species complexes had more extended growth periods. The genus Sellaphora has been selected to demonstrate variation in temporal distribution within species complexes.

Keywords: epipelon, seasonal dynamics, mesotrophic pond, diatoms, cryptic species, Sellaphora

Received: November 12, 2008; Accepted: January 20, 2009; Published: March 1, 2009  Show citation

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Špačková, J., Hašler, P., Štěpánková, J., & Poulíčková, A. (2009). Seasonal succession of epipelic algae: a case study on a mesotrophic pond in a temperate climate. Fottea, 9(1), 121-133. doi: 10.5507/fot.2009.011
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