Diversity of freshwater red algae in Europe

Abstract

Of the total number of freshwater red algae (ca. 180 taxa), one third are found in Europe (ca. 60 taxa). Over one third (24 taxa) of European taxa have been found at only one single location or at very few locations. The majority of taxa live in running waters, but some occur in lakes, on wet ground, in hot springs or in garden ponds. Diversity in the Nordic countries of Sweden and Finland seems to be somewhat higher (27 and 28 taxa, respectively) than in the central and southern parts of Europe (e.g.

Distribution, morphology and ecological niche ofBatrachospermumandSheathiaspecies (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) in thefontaniliof the Po plain (northern Italy)

“…Batrachospermum atrum is considered to be rare, although widespread, in Europe (Kwandrans & Eloranta, 2010;Alcaraz et al, 2013) and also appears to be rare in Italy, having been reported only twice previously in the 19th century. The species was first collected in 1862 and voucher specimens distributed in Series I of the Erbario Crittogamico Italiano (as B. tenuissimum Bory, see Cuccuini, 1997).…”

“…Several taxa within this order are considered to be sensitive to human impact and therefore to be reliable ecological bio-indicator species (Rott et al, 1999;Haury et al, 2006). Despite the conservation concern and their role as bio-indicators (Kwandrans & Eloranta, 2010), studies of the diversity and ecology of freshwater red algae are lacking, especially in Italy (Eloranta et al, 2011;Ceschin et al, 2013;Bolpagni et al, 2015).…”

“…Batrachospermales are reported to be less widespread in southern and central Europe than in northern Europe (Eloranta & Kwandrans, 2007;Kwandrans & Eloranta, 2010), possibly owing to the progressive worsening in water quality due to human activities and higher population density in the former regions, as suggested by Kwandrans & Eloranta (2010). Nevertheless, an ecological survey of lowland freshwater springs, known as fontanili, located in northern Italy, revealed the presence of a relatively high number of taxa referable to the freshwater red algal genera Batrachospermum Roth and Sheathia Salomaki & M.L.…”

Rhodophyta de ambientes lóticos de Unidades de Conservação da região Sul do Brasil

“…Em estudos prévios realizados no Brasil e no mundo, resultados semelhantes também foram observados (necchi Júnior 1989, necchi Júnior et al 1999, entwisle & Kraft 1984, eloranta & Kwandrans 1996, Kwandrans & Eloranta 2010, Sheath & Cole 1992. Assim, nossos dados confirmam Skuja (1938), que aponta o gênero Batrachospermum como sendo o melhor representado em número de espécies entre as rhodophyta de água doce.…”

Photosynthetic performance of two freshwater red algal species

“…The total number of taxa recorded in Northern European countries is higher than that in Centraland South-Europe. In Hungary, nine taxa were reported (Kwandrans and Eloranta 2010), two of these (Batrachospermum ectocarpum Sirodot and B. moniliforme Roth) were found in the springs of the Northern Bakony Mountains (Kol 1968). Additionally, some species (Audouinella ciolacea (Kütz.)…”