Silica-scaled chrysophytes (Synurophyceae) from some rivers and shallow lakes in Hungary

Abstract

Silica-scaled chrysophytes are a special group in the phytoplankton of rivers and shallow lakes. They are present the whole year at low density, but sometimes — mainly during autumn and spring — some species can become frequent and very numerous to form real water blooms.

In this study, seven species of silica-scaled chrysophytes have been recorded and identified by electron microscopy of phytoplankton samples from some rivers and shallow lakes in Hungary. Most of these silica-scaled chrysophytes have previously been found in eutrophic and hypertrophic localities, and almost all of them are common and widely distributed, even cosmopolitan. Only Synura echinulata Korshikov has not previously been recorded from Hungary. Some of them as Synttra curtispina (Petersen & Hansen) Asmund, S.petersenii Korshikov, Mallomonas acaroides Perty emend. Ivanov, M. tonsurata Teiling were frequently found in the phytoplankton samples. Sometimes in autumn and winter Synura petersenii was the most abundant species in the phytoplankton and formed blooms.