Work

First record of the red alga Compsopogon caeruleus (Balbis ex C. Agardh) Montagne 1846 in the High Paraná River, Argentina-Paraguay

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: The presence of a freshwater red alga (Rhodophyta), Compsopogon caeruleus, was recorded for the first time in the High Paraná River.It was detected in 2016 and 2017 at five points along 290 km of the border between Argentina and Paraguay.High densities of filaments of the red alga were recorded in the summer months, forming masses flowing through the middle of the riverbed and banks, and not recorded in the main body of the Yacyretá Binational Reservoir (Argentina-Paraguay).We identified the species both morphologically and using molecular methods.The samples were characterized by having short, thorn-like branches, which resembled the morphology reported for Compsopogon aeruginosus, nowadays a synonym of C. caeruleus.Partial DNA sequences from cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene confirmed species identification as C. caeruleus.Because of its adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions, we speculate that the species could establish in the High Paraná River and potentially rapidly increase its distribution downstream throughout temperate regions of South America.

Source: BioInvasions Records

DOI: 10.3391/bir.2019.8.4.03

Authors: Norma de Zaburlín, Leila Guzmán, Micaela Escalada, Víctor Llano, Roberto Vogler

Institutions: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, National University of Misiones, Instituto de Biología Subtropical

Language: English

Topic: Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $323

Funders: Consejo Interuniversitario Nacional, Universidad Nacional de Misiones