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Microhabitat and morphometric variation in two species of Prasiola (Prasiolales, Chlorophyta) from streams in central Mexico

Microhabitat and morphometric variation in two species of Prasiola (Prasiolales, Chlorophyta)... Prasiolales are characterized by high morphological plasticity. This problem in taxonomic delimitation of the species may be a result of environment heterogeneity. Habitat characteristics and morphological variation of P. mexicana and P. nevadensis, two species of freshwater leaf-like thallus green algae, were investigated in five sites in central México where the morphological traits of these species overlap. Comparisons were made between habitat characteristics among streams and transects with and without Prasiola samples. Although no consistent correlation was found between environmental variables and morphological traits, a significantly wider range of habitat characteristics of current velocity and irradiance and morphometric variation (lamina length, lamina diameter, cell length, surface of the thallus, thickness and number of layers) suggested that P. mexicana was more plastic than P. nevadensis in its physicochemical requirements. Our results suggest that small variation of microhabitat conditions in P. nevadensis (irradiance and current velocity) could explain its very restricted geographic range in streams in central Mexico. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aquatic Ecology Springer Journals

Microhabitat and morphometric variation in two species of Prasiola (Prasiolales, Chlorophyta) from streams in central Mexico

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References (37)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 by Springer Science+Business Media, B.V.
Subject
Life Sciences; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Ecosystems
ISSN
1386-2588
eISSN
1573-5125
DOI
10.1007/s10452-006-9068-9
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Prasiolales are characterized by high morphological plasticity. This problem in taxonomic delimitation of the species may be a result of environment heterogeneity. Habitat characteristics and morphological variation of P. mexicana and P. nevadensis, two species of freshwater leaf-like thallus green algae, were investigated in five sites in central México where the morphological traits of these species overlap. Comparisons were made between habitat characteristics among streams and transects with and without Prasiola samples. Although no consistent correlation was found between environmental variables and morphological traits, a significantly wider range of habitat characteristics of current velocity and irradiance and morphometric variation (lamina length, lamina diameter, cell length, surface of the thallus, thickness and number of layers) suggested that P. mexicana was more plastic than P. nevadensis in its physicochemical requirements. Our results suggest that small variation of microhabitat conditions in P. nevadensis (irradiance and current velocity) could explain its very restricted geographic range in streams in central Mexico.

Journal

Aquatic Ecology – Springer Journals

Published: Nov 24, 2006

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