This study aimed to perform the taxonomic survey of desmids of an important lotic ecosystem in the western region of Paraná State. Samples were collected monthly (July 2010 to June 2011), in three sampling stations from the Cascavel River, resulting in the identification of 60 taxa, belonging to 10 genera. The Cosmarium Corda ex Ralfs (29) and Closterium Nitzsch ex Ralfs (10) obtained the largest number of inventoried species. A total of 14 new citations were recorded for the Paraná State, distributed among genera Actinotaenium (Nägeli) Teiling (2), Cosmarium (7), Closterium (1), Micrasterias C. Agardh ex Ralfs (1), Pleurotaenium Nägeli (1), Staurastrum Meyen (1) and Staurodesmus Teiling (1). At the end of the study was observed that the total number of species identified, 83.9% were common to all three stations collected, 13.3% were recorded in the sampling stations 2 and 3, and 3.3% only at station 3.
Desmids; lotic ecosystem; taxonomy
