Epilithic phycoflora and environmental variables of Calimayo Stream (Tucumán Argentina).

Abstract

Epilithic phycoflora and environmental variables of Calimayo Stream (Tucumán-Argentina). Tucumán is known for its richness in natural and water resources. Previous phycological studies focused mainly on the phytoplankton, but little was done in relation to the epilithic phycoflora. The aim of this research was to analyze the epilithic taxocenosis and physicochemical variables of Calimayo stream during an annual cycle, and to contribute to the taxonomic knowledge of the phycoflora in Northwestern Argentina. Physicochemical and biological samples collected in 2012-2013 were studied. The water was alkaline, bicarbonate-calcium, oligosaprobic in summer/13 and oligo-?-mesosaprobic in the other seasons. Mineralization was average and the stream was well oxygenated. The Bacillariohyceae class presented 69 taxa followed by Divisions Cyanophyta (10), Chlorophyta (5) and Rhodophyta (1). The following species were always present: Amphipleura lindheimerii, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata, Cymbella affinis, Gomphonema olivaceum, G. parvulum, Luticola mutica, Navicula tripunctata, Nitzschia palea, Orthoseira roeseana, Planothidium frequentissimum, P. lanceolatum, Reimeria uniseriata, Rhoicosphenia abbreviata, Ulnaria ulna, Oedogonium sp., Lyngbya sp. 1, Myxosarcina spectabilis, Oscillatoria sp. 1 y 2. Of a total of 85 taxa, 70 are cited for the first time for epilithon and Myxosarcina spectabilis is a new record for Tucuman. Phycoflora composition was influenced by temperature, depth, precipitation and pH.