Abstract

DIAZ-OLARTE, JOHN  and  R. DUQUE, SANTIAGO. Algal assemblages in freshwater natural microecosystems from the tropical carnivorous plant Utricularia foliosa L.. Caldasia [online]. 2009, vol.31, n.2, pp.319-337. ISSN 0366-5232.

Abundance and composition of the algal assemblages associated with Utricularia foliosa were studied at seven plants located in Yahuarcaca creek (Colombian Amazon). The aim of this work was to determine the algal assemblages inside of the microecosystem of U. foliosa and how it varies according to nutrient conditions. The changes in the abundance and richness of phytoplankton of the assemblages are strongly influenced by the water level fluctuations and the PO concentration. The algal assemblages of open waters were dominate by heterocytic Cyanobacteria, diatoms and organism of great mobility capacity such as Euglenoids. The conditions of microenvironments created by U. foliosa exert some control over the algal diversity and density. It is possible that U. foliosa generates optimal physiological conditions that favor a higher richness of thychoepiphytic species such as Desmids and periphytic diatoms. Thus, forming a microecosystems from which most benefits are product of this algal community than from the carnivory strategic itself developed by U. foliosa. The relationships between the algal composition and physical and chemical variables were also analyzed by a Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analysis.

Keywords : Algal assemblages; Carnivorous plant; ACCD.

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