DIVERSITY OF ALGAE AND CYANOPROKARYOTA IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN DRAKENSBERG (WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO DESMIDS) | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Phycology | ||
| Article 6, Volume 11, Second International Conference on Phycology, Limnology and Aquatic Sciences (February 14-15, 2010), 2010, Pages 89-101 PDF (342.92 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/egyjs.2010.114902 | ||
| Authors | ||
| A. Levanets* ; J. C. Taylor; A. Venter; S. J. van Vuuren; L. van Rensburg | ||
| School for Environmental Sciences and Development, Botany Department, Private Bag X6001, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, Republic of South Africa. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| We studied the diversity of algae (desmids and diatoms) and cyanoprokaryota in freshwater and aerophytic biotopes in the Drakensberg (South Africa and Kingdom of Lesotho). Diversity, species composition and distribution of the taxa, their ecological characteristics, level of endemism and perspectives of taxonomical studies are being discussed. Special attention was paid to the study of desmids which are poorly investigated in the Drakensberg. Our work on the mountain tarns around the Giant’s Cup area (UuKhahlamba-Drakensberg National Park) revealed a total of 86 species from 18 genera of saccoderm and placoderm desmids (87 intraspecific taxa). Desmids belonging to the families Mesotaeniaceae (3 species), Gonatozygaceae (2), Closteriaceae (9) and Desmidiaceae (72 species, 73 intraspecific taxa) were identified. Most diverse families are: Gonatozygaceae (2), Closteriaceae (9) and Desmidiaceae (72 species, 73 intraspecific taxa). As the result of our studies 1 genus (Teilingia Bourr.) and 28 species (3 species and 2 varieties from them will be described as new for science) were recorded in Southern Africa for the first time. Our data revealed a high algal diversity in the Drakensberg and confirmed that the Drakensberg (together with the Cape region, Waterberg, Caprivi Strip, Swaziland, Karoo and Namib deserts) is one of the most diverse algal areas in Southern Africa. | ||
| References | ||
|
Bews, J. W. (1916). An account of the cliff types of vegetation in South Africa, with notes on the plant succession. The Journal of Ecology, 4: 129-159.
Büdel, B.(1999). Ecology and diversity of rock-inhabiting cyanobacteria in tropical regions. Eur. J. Phycol., 34: 361-370.
Büdel, B. and Wessels, D. C. J. (1991). Rock-inhabiting blue-green algae/cyanobacteria from hot arid regions. Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl., 92 (Algological Studies 64): 385-398.
Büdel, B.; Wessels, D.C.J. and Mollenhauer D. (1993). Massenentwicklung von Nostoc cf. microscopicum (Carmichael) Harvey ex Bornet & Flahault in alkalischem, salzhaltigem Milieu einer Höhle in der Drakensbergen Südafrikas (Golden Gate Highlands National Park). Arch. Protistenkd., 143: 229-235.
Cholnoky, B.J. (1954a). Diatomeen und einige andere Algen aus dem “de Hoek”-Reservat in Nord-Transvaal. Botaniska Notiser, Häfte 3, Lund:269-296.
Cholnoky, B.J. (1954b). Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Algenflora des Mogolflusses in Nordost-Transvaal. Österreichischen Botanischen Zeitschrift, Band 101, Heft 1/2: 118-139.
Cholnoky, B.J. (1955). Hydrobiologische Untersuchungen in Transvaal I. Vergleichung der herbstlichen Algengemeinschaften in Rayton-vlei und Leeufontein. Hydrobiologia, 7: 137-209.
Cholnoky, B.J. (1957). Neue und seltene Diatomeen aus Afrika III. Diatomeen aus dem Tugela-Flußsystem, hauptsächlich aus den Drakensbergen in Natal. Österr. Bot. Z., 104: 25-99.
Claassen, M. I. (1961). A Contribution to our Knowledge of the Freshwater algae of the Transvaal Province. Bothalia, 7: 559-666.
Claassen, M. I. (1976). Freshwater algae of Southern Africa: 3. Pleurotaenium breve Raciborski var. engleri (Schmidle) Krieger and Penium gonatozygiforme Claassen sp. nov. from Transvaal. South Africa J. Bot., 42(2): 377-382.
Claassen, M. I. (1977). Freshwater algae of Southern Africa. II. Triplastrum spinulosum from the Transvaal. Bothalia, 12(2): 231-237.
Claassen, M. I. (1982). ‘N taksonomiese studie van Transvaalse varswater Euglenophyceae en Chlorophyceae. Thesis, Univ. Pretoria, South Africa. In 2 volumes (Volume 1: 542 pp; Volume 2: 461 pp.).
Claassen, M. I. (1985). The correct name for Pleurotaenium breve var. engleri (Desmidiaceae, Chlorophyta). South Africa Tydskr. Plantk., 51(4): 290.
Claassen, M. I. and Eicker, A. (1985). Some species of Cosmarium (Chlorophyta, Desmidiaceae) from the Transvaal. South Africa J. Bot., 51: 199-207.
Coesel, P. F. M. and van Geest, A. (2008). Taxonomic and biogeographical notes on Okavango desmids (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta). Syst. Geogr. Pl., 78: 27-46.
Fritsch, F. E. (1911-1918). Contributions to our knowledge of the fresh-water algae of Africa. 2. A First Report on the Freshwater Algae mostly from the Cape Peninsula in the Herbarium of the South African Museum. Ann. South African Museum, 9: 483-611.
Fritsch, F. E. and Rich, F. (1924). Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freshwater Algae of Africa. 4. Freshwater and Subaerial Algae from Natal. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 11: 297-398.
Fritsch, F. E. and Rich, F. (1925). Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freshwater Algae of Africa. 5. On a Deposit of Diatomaceous Earth from Ermelo, Transvaal. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 12: 277-284.
Fritsch, F. E. and Rich, F. (1930). Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freshwater Algae of Africa. 7. Freshwater Algae (exclusive of Diatoms) from Griqualand West. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 18 (Pt. I): 1-92.
Fritsch, F. E. and Rich, F. (1938). Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freshwater Algae of Africa. 13. Algae from the Belfast Pan, Transvaal. Trans. Roy Soc. South Africa, 25 (Pt. II): 153-228.
Fritsch, F. E. and Stephens, E. L. (1921). Contributions to our knowledge of the freshwater algae of Africa. 3. Freshwater algae (exclusive of Diatoms), mainly from the Transkei Territories, Cape Colony. Trans. Roy Soc. South Africa, 9 (Pt.1): 1-72.
Golding, J. S. (ed.) (2002). Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 14. SABONET, Pretoria: 225 pp.
Grönblad, R. and Croasdale, H. T. (1971). Desmids from Namibia (South West Africa). Acta Bot. Fenn., 93: 2-40.
Hodgetts, W. J. (1926). Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freswater Algae of Africa. 6. Some Freshwater Algae from Stellenbosch, Cape of Good Hope. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 13 (Pt. II): 49-103.
Huber-Pestalozzi, G. (1929). Das Plankton natürlicher und künstlicher Seebecken Südafrikas. Verhandlungen der Internationalen Vereinigung für theoretische und angewandte Limnologie, IV: 343-390.
Huber-Pestalozzi, G. (1930). Algen aus dem Knysnawalde in Südafrika. Zeitschrift für Botanik, 23: 443-480.
Janse van Vuuren, S.; van der Walt, N. and Swanepoel, A. (2007). Changes in algal composition and environmental variables in the high altitude Mohale Dam — an important water supply reservoir to South Africa. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 32(3): 265-274.
Levanets, A. A.; Taylor, J. C. and van Rensburg, L. (2010). Desmids of Southern Africa: An annotated and illustrated list. Pretoria, 340 pp. (in press).
Nygaard, G. (1932). Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freshwater Algae of Africa. 9. Freshwater Algae and Phytoplankton from the Transvaal. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 20 (Pt. II): 101-148.
Rabenhorst, L. (1855). Beitrag zur Kryptogamen-Flora Süd-Afrikas. Pilze und Algen. Allg. deutsch. naturh. Zeit., 1: 280-283.
Reinsch,P.F. (1878). Contributiones ad floram Algarum aquae dulcis Promontorii Bonae Spei. J. Linn. Soc. Bot., 16: 232-248.
Rich, F. (1932). Contributions to our Knowledge of the Freshwater Algae of Africa. 10. Phytoplankton from South African Pans and Vleis. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 20 (Pt. II): 149-188.
Rich, F. (1940). Some desmids from the Transvaal. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 27(1): 1-15.
Schuurman, J. F. M. (1932). A seasonal study of the microflora and microfauna of Florida Lake, Johannesburg, Transvaal. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa, 20 (Pt. IV): 333-386.
Taylor, J. C.; de La Rey, P. A. and van Rensburg, L. (2005). Recommendations for the collection, preparation and enumeration of diatoms from riverine habitats for water quality monitoring in South Africa. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 30: 65-75.
Wessels, D. C. J. and Büdel, B. (1995). Epilithic and Cryptoendolithic Cyanobacteria of Clarens Sandstone cliffs in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, South Africa. Bot. Acta, 108: 220-226.
West, G. S. (1911-1918). Freshwater Algae. Percy Sladen Memorial Expedition in South-West Africa, 1908-1911. Report No.14. Ann. South Africa Mus., 9: 61-90.
Williamson, D. B. (1994). A contribution to knowledge of the desmid flora of South Africa and the adjoining states of Ciskei and Swaziland. Arch. Hydrobiol./Suppl. 99, 4: 415-487.
Williamson, D. B. (1995). A newly-described zygospore of Cosmarium subprotumidum Nordst. (Desmidiaceae) and a rare desmid (Cosmarium hexalobum Nordst.) from the Little Karoo, South Africa. Nova Hedwigia, 61(1-2): 207-210.
Williamson, D. B. (1996). New species of Closterium and Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae) and first observation of some zygospores from South Africa. Nova Hedwigia, 62(3-4): 431-436.
Williamson, D. B. (1999). A proposed new desmid genus Cruciangulum and description of three mew desmid species from rock pools in the Western Cape, South Africa. Algological Studies, 93: 55-62.
Williamson, D. B. (2000). Some Desmid Floras of Wet Rock Surfaces. Algological Studies, 97: 11-27. | ||
|
Statistics Article View: 165 PDF Download: 193 |
||
