Aspectos ecológicos de la ficoflora de ambientes acuáticos del Chaco Oriental (Argentina)

Resumen

The present study describes the al gal flora of some streams and tropical swamps ("esteros") settled in the Eastern Chaco between the Pilcomayo (25°15'S; 57°45'W) and Amores (28°15'S; 59°30'W) rivera towards the Paraguay-Paraná axis.

Samples taken during 1984 at different hydrometric levels within the annual hydrologic re gime, were compared.

The quali and quantitative study of the phytoplankton was carried out, as well as the periphytic flora from natural substrates with addition of SEM analyses. Counts of phytoplankton were done by the Utermohl method.

Phytoplankton density was low during the high water period (between 15 and 280 ind.ml^-1), and high species richness were found.

During the low water period the phytoplankton density ranged from 20 to 1746 ind.ml^-1. The highest density was recorded in highly salinitized water bodies with blooms of halophilous species (Glenodinium balticum and Protoperidinium achromaticum). 

In response to high salinity and alkalinity diatoms such as Nitzschia acicularis var. closterioides, Surirella striatula, Campylodiscus clypeus and Bacillaria paradoxa were found in the phytoplankton. Besides, Audouinella sp. (Rhodophyta) and Enteromorpha sp. (Chlorophyta) were observed in the periphyton.

In the tropical swamps the phytoplankton density ranged from 22 to 525 ind.ml^-1 with high species number of Euglenophyta. Acidity indicators species (within Chrysophyceae, Xanthophyceae and Diatomophyceae) were recorded in the periphyton.

Thus, local populations showed strong differences with respect to other regional waterbodies of the Northeastem of Argentina.