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Periphytic algal community structure in relation to seasonal variation and macrophyte richness in a shallow tropical reservoir

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Abstract

The macrophyte structure can influence the development of periphytic algal community in a shallow ecosystem. We investigated the interrelationship between periphytic algal community on artificial substrate and macrophyte species richness during four seasons in a tropical shallow reservoir. The periphyton was evaluated by biomass (as AFDM), algal abundance, species composition, and species richness. Limnological variables and macrophyte coverage were determined at sites with different macrophytes richness in littoral zone. Glass slides were used as the substrate and colonization time was 30 days. Periphytic algal structure was significantly influenced by seasonality and macrophyte richness, as well as the interaction of two factors. Periphytic algal density on natural and artificial substrates was negatively correlated with macrophyte richness and coverage. High biomass, algal biovolume and dominance of Zygnemaphyceae occurred when there was an increase of Utricularia foliosa coverage (summer). Our results showed that the seasonality, and to a lesser extent macrophyte species richness, explained significant portion of the variability of periphyton biomass, algal abundance, and taxonomic composition on artificial substrate. The changes in macrophyte community may have direct consequences on the periphyton structure in a shallow tropical reservoir.

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Acknowledgments

MLS and BGP thank FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Grant No. 2011/14751-2 and 2009/52253-4, respectively) for a Master of Science fellowship, and CF thanks FAPESP for financial support (No. 2009/52253-4). The authors are also grateful to all the students and technicians involved in the laboratory and fieldwork.

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  1. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ecologia, Instituto de Botânica, Caixa Postal 68041, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Mariane Lima de Souza, Barbara Golebski Pellegrini & Carla Ferragut

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  1. Mariane Lima de Souza
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  2. Barbara Golebski Pellegrini
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  3. Carla Ferragut
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Correspondence to Carla Ferragut.

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de Souza, M.L., Pellegrini, B.G. & Ferragut, C. Periphytic algal community structure in relation to seasonal variation and macrophyte richness in a shallow tropical reservoir. Hydrobiologia 755, 183–196 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2232-2

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