Study aimed at evaluating the phytoplankton and phycoperiphyton structure and dynamics during a hydrological cycle at the littoral-limnetic gradient in the Diogo Pond, and oxbow lake of the Mogi-Guaçu river floodplain (São Paulo State, Brazil). Samplings were carried out during one hydrological cycle (high water, flooding, low water, and drought) in three sites (open water, littoral-limnetic interface, and within the macrophyte stand) for phytoplankton, and in the littoral region for phycoperiphyton associated to Eicchornia azurea Kunth. Algal classes densities and biomass (chlorophyll-a) were analyzed for both communities. Principal component analysis separated the two major hydrological periods: the rainy and the dry seasons. Rainy season was associated to higher temperatures, higher water levels, lower nitrate, and higher densities of Euglenophyceae, Cryptophyceae, Chrysophyceae, and chlorophyll-a concentrations. Disturbance regime during high water and flood periods favoured opportunistic groups represented by phytoflagellates. Moreover, phytoplankton from littoral region was separated during high water, low water and drought phases indicating the influence of the spatial gradient. Periphyton showed a distinct trend, with higher biomass and densities during low water and drought phases. Hydrological cycle was considered the main driving force on the phytoplankton and periphyton structure as well as on the interaction and interchanges of these communities in the oxbow pond.
floodplain; litoral-limnetic gradient; oxbow lake; periphyton; phytoplankton
