Abstract

BRANCO, Ciro Cesar Zanini; PERES, Cleto Kaveski; KRUPEK, Rogério Antônio  and  BERTUSSO, Fernando Rodrigo. Stream macroalgae from the mid-western region of Paraná State, southern Brazil. Biota Neotrop. [online]. 2009, vol.9, n.2, pp. 227-235. ISSN 1676-0603.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1676-06032009000200022.

Taxonomic studies focusing on the inventory of lotic macroalgae in different regions are important contributions to the basic knowledge for these algal communities. In this context, the main objective of this investigation was to accomplish a floristic survey of the stream macroalgal communities in the mid-west region of Paraná State, Southern Brazil, a poorly investigated subtropical area. Twenty-two stream segments were sampled by means of cross-transect technique. Twenty-four macroalgal taxa were found, including 18 subgeneric taxa and 6 vegetative groups. Chlorophyta was the most species rich division (13 taxa = 54% of the total), followed by Cyanophyta (five taxa = 21%) and Rhodophyta and Heterokontophyta (3 taxa = 12.5%). Phormidium retzii (C. Agardh) Gomont (Cyanophyta) was the most widespread species, and mats the predominant morphological type. Although all the macroalgal taxa had been previously described from Brazilian streams, 5 species are new records from Paraná State. Even with no additional species reported, the survey in the mid-west region of Paraná State are relevant, since it expanded the geographical and environmental distribution of the stream macroalgal communities in Brazil.

Keywords : floristic survey; stream macroalgae; subtropical region; Chlorophyta; Paraná State.