ArticlePDF Available

New Finding of Species Hildenbrandia Rivularis (Liebmann) J. Agardh 1851 (Rhodophyta) in Serbia

Taylor & Francis
Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment
Authors:

Abstract and Figures

The paper presents the first record of freshwater red alga Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebm.) J. Ag. in Serbia and a new finding of this rare species on the Balkan Peninsula. Hildenbrandia rivularis has been included in the red lists of rare and threatened algae in some Europe countries.
Content may be subject to copyright.
973
BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 22/2008/4
BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS
ARTIClES B&E
Keywords: Hildenbrandia rivularis, Rhodophyta, algae,
freshwater, Serbia
Introduction
Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebm.) J. Ag. 1851 belongs to
phyllum Rhodophyta, class Florideophyceae. It represents red
algae occurring in fresh inland waters.
According to Vouk (35) the rst occurrence of this alga
in the Balkan Peninsula has been noted in the 19th century in
streams in Slovenia (14) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (13).
In the 20th century this alga has been recorded in Bosnia and
Herzegovina in streams (22, 23) and in spring (35), and in
Croatia (11), Bulgaria (18,19,20), Greece (2) in stream and
rivers, as well as in Macedonia in springs (4, 21). New stands
of Hildenbrandia rivularis have been recorded in spring,
rivulet and rivers from mountainous areas in Bulgaria (33, 34).
The occurrence of Hildenbrandia rivularis has also been noted
in standing waters, within the littoral zone of Ohridsko lake in
Macedonia (5).
Up to now on the territory of Serbia species from 6 genera
have been recorded (Bangia Lyngbye., Chantransia (Dc) Fries.,
Batrachospermum Roth, Lemanea Bory, Paralemanea Vis and
Sheath, and Thorea Bory (6, 28, 29, 30). Species from the
genera Hildenbradia Nardo have not been found in Serbia.
Materials and Methods
Submerged stones with red spots were examined and collected
in the Dragovištica River at the village Radičevci (Bosilegrad)
(N 420 27׳ 858״, E 220 29׳ 377״), on 722 m a.s.l. on 28 June
2008. Mapping of the localities was made by GP Garmin 12.
The stone–crusts have been scarped in the laboratory
and examined alive on microscope Amplival–Jena with
magnication up to 800 x. All photos were taken directly from
living material. Algological samples were xed in 4% formalin.
Fixed algological material was stored in the collection of the
Institute of Biology and Ecology in Kragujevac.
On the sampling site several parameters were measured
including the temperature (0C), water speed (m/s), pH of
water, oxygen concentration (mg/l), saturation of oxygen (%),
phosphate and nitrate concentration (mg/l) and conductivity
on temperature at 250C (measured by digital conductometer
type of HANA instruments EP–3 and expressed in µS/cm).
Chemical analyses were performed by standard methods (1).
Results and Discussion
The thalli Hildenbrandia rivularis lying on stone in Dragovištica
River were observed with the naked eye (Fig. 2a). Plants
colored in bright crimson, forming nearly regularly circular
discs and attaining a diameter of about 2.5 cm were visualized
and neighboring discs not fusing into extensive crusts were
also seen (Fig. 2b). The area coverd was less than 2%.
Fig. 1. The countries of the Balkan Peninsula where the presence of the species
Hildenbrandia rivularis was recorded; + know records, * new record (Serbia)
In regard to its morphological traits, the thallus of the alga
was close to the traits of the given species described in the
literature (1 5 ). The disc was composed of a basal layer and
erect laments. The basal layer was prostrate, lacking rhizoids
and composed of branched laments consisting of cells densely
NEW FINDING OF SPECIES HILDENBRANDIA RIVULARIS (LIEBMANN) J.
AGARDH 1851 (RHODOPHYTA) IN SERBIA
S. Simić
University of Kragujevac, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia
Corespondence to: Snezana Simic
e-mail: snezasi@kg.ac.yu
ABSTRACT
The paper presents the rst record of freshwater red alga Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebm.) J. Ag. in Serbia and a new nding of
this rare species on the Balkan Peninsula. Hildenbrandia rivularis has been included in the red lists of rare and threatened algae
in some Europe countries.
974 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 22/2008/4
a
b
c
d
e
f
Fig. 2. a - f. Hildenbrandia rivularis: a, b - thalli on the stone (macroscopic); c - part of thallus growing in different directions (magnication 200x); d - thallus
seen from the top (magnication 320x); e, f - part of thalli in vertical section (e-magnication 320x, f-magnication 800x)
975
BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 22/2008/4
aggregated laterally (Fig. 2c-d). Cells were producing an erect
lament upwards. The erect laments densely aggregated,
simple or more rarely dichotomously branched and usually
composed of 7-11 cells (Fig. 2 e-f). The breadth of cells
measured approximately from 6 to 10µm, and the length was
from 4 to 12µm. The proportions of length to breadth of the
cells in different parts of creating thalli threads were variable
(Fig. 2f).
The thalli Hildenbrandia rivularis in Dragovištica river is
found on part of the river where the width is from 5-15m and
depth from 0.5-1m. Thali were always found on stones, at a
depth of a few centimeters. The parametres measured were as
follows: water temperature was 16.30C, velocity-0.6 m/s, pH-
8.13, concentration of oxygen-8.22 mg/l, saturation-94.4%,
with small concentration of nutrients (nitrates 0.3 mg/l and
phosphates 0.62 mg/l). Electro conductivity was 228µS/cm.
The place is partially shaded. In community of macroalgae
on the same locality, on limestone substrate, thalli of species
Nostoc sp. were recorded.
Data about the distribution of Hildenbrandia rivularis
indicates that this species is found on relatively small number
of localities of Europe (15).
Starmach (31, 32) studied the physical and chemical
conditions in the places of occurrence of H. rivularis in
Poland, such as pH ranging 6-8, water temperature 0-150C and
velocity 0.3 m/s. Markowski (17) has announced, that this alga
occurred in water owing with a speed of 25-100cm/s. Żelazna-
Wieczorek and Ziułkiewicy (36) noted that in the springs’
niche of this alga the water was soft and lightly alkaline. Water
temperature did not exceed 100C and had characteristic small
annual amplitude and velocity oscillating from 6 to 29.5cm/s
(34). In Poland as well as in Macedonia (5) this alga was found
in standing waters, within the littoral zone of lakes (3, 10, 17).
Stoyneva et al. (33, 34) has recorded, that this alga in
Bulgaria, occurred in summer (May, June and July), in
karsts spring, rivulet and river on stones and pebbles, in
water with temperature of 14-180C, pH 7.6-7.8. Stoyneva et
al. (34) presented data of the rst records of Hildenbrandia-
Heribaudiella association in Bulgaria, represented by
freshwater red alga Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebm.) J. Ag.
and freshwater brown alga Heribaudiella uviatilis (Aresch.)
Sved.
This taxa was noted in German rivers with water hardness
(0.2-4.4 mmol/l), conductivity (56-2335µS/cm), pH (7.0-8.3),
and tolerated higher amounts of NO3-N (up to 12.5 mg/l), but
was more sensitive to P enrichment (below TP 0.5 mg/l) (12).
Gutowski et al. (12) has classied H. rivularis to a category of
less sensitive species, more widely distributed and indicator of
good quality conditions.
According to Eloranta and Kwadrans (9) the ecological
classication of Hildenbrandia rivularis in relation to water
hardness, saprobity, and ecological type of water was as
follows: living in hard waters (7, 8), alkaline waters (25) and
xeno-to oligosaprobic (26).
Hildenbrandia rivularis is situated on the Red List of
threatened algae in Slovakia as an endangered plant (EN) (16),
in Poland as vulnerable plant (V) (27) and only in Finland
as near threatened (NT) (24). The alga is known to be found
seldom at stands with very small quantities, and is under
species law protection.
Conclusions
Stenovalence of this species in relation to substrate, temperature
and speed of water, as well as quality of water, is the reason for
the small number of habitats of this species, both in Serbia and
Europe. Because of that, any inuences, direct and indirect, by
human that lead to changes in physical or chemical parameters,
as well as to deterioration of water quality in the habitat and in
its immediate vicinity, are potentially unfavourable.
Acknowledgment
This work was supported by Ministry of Science and
Environment Protection of the Republic of Serbia (Project No.
143023).
REFERENCES
1. American Public Health Association (1985) Standard
methods for examination of water and wastewater, 17th Ed.,
American Public Health Association, Wachington, p.1134.
2. Anagnostidis K. (1968) Untersuchungen über die
Salz-und Süsswasser-Thiobiocönosen (Sulphuretum)
Grichendlands.- Wiss. Jahrb. Physiko.-Math. Fak. Univ.
Thessaloniki 1, 406-860.
3. Bohr R. (1968) Zeszyty Nauk.UMK w Toruniu. Nauki
matematyczno-przyrodnicze, 20(4), 27-30.
4. ČadoI. (1959) Zbornik na rabotite, VII, 4(37), 1-9.
5. ČadoI. (1977) Zbornik na rabotite, XVI, 1(86), 1-38.
6. CvijanM.,BlaženčićJ.,Subakov-SimićG. (2003) Flora
algi Srbije 2, Rhodophyta, NNK internacional, Beograd, p
74.
7. Eloranta P., Kwandrans J. (1996) Nord. J. Bot., 16, 107-
117.
8. Eloranta P., Kwandrans J. (2002) Algol. Studies, 105,
95-109.
9. Eloranta P., Kwadrans J. (2004) Oceanological and
Hydrobiological Studies, 33(1), 47-54.
10.Gołdyn R. (1985) Bad. Fizjogr. Pol. Zach. 36(B), 185-
188.
11.Golubić S. (1957) Jugoslavenska Akademija znanosti i
umjetnosti, Zagreb,VII, 207-259.
12. Gutowski A., Forester J., Schaumburg J. (2004)
Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies, 33(2), 3-15.
13. Gutwinski R. (1899) Algen. Wiss. Mitt. Aus Bosnien und
Herz.
14. Hansgirg A. (1891) Algologische and bacteriologische
Mitteilungen. II. Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Süsswasre-
976 BIOTECHNOL. & BIOTECHNOL. EQ. 22/2008/4
Algen und Bacterienora Böhmens, Steiermarks, der
österr. ung. Küstenländer und Bosnien. Sitz Ber d. Böhm,
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften, Prag.
15. Kumano S. (2002) Freshwater Red Algae of the World,
Biopress Ltd., Bristol, p. 373.
16. Marhold K., Hindak F. (1998) Checklist of non-vascular
and vascular plants of Slovakia, Veda, Publishing House of
SAV, Bratislava, p. 687.
17. Markowski R. (1980) Biologia, 2, 91-99.
18. Petkoff S. (1908-1909) Ann. Sof. Univ. Phys.-Math. Fac.,
2, 1-88.
19. Petkoff S. (1929) Travaux Naturalist. Bulg., 14, 99-105.
20. Petkoff S. (1950) Miteeilungen des Botanischen Instituts
(Soa), 1, 452-473.
21. Petrovska Lj. (1966) Fragmenta balkanika Mus. Maced.
Scient. Natur., Balk. 5, 189-194.
22.Protić Đ. (1901) Glasnik Zem. Muzeja u Bosni i
Hercegovini, XIII, 201.
23.Protić Đ. (1907) Glasnik Zem. Muzeja u Bosni i
Hercegovini, XIII, 191-202.
24. Rassi P., Alanen A., Kanerva T., Mannerkoski I.
(2001) The Red List of Finnish Species, Ministry of the
Environment & Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki. p.
432.
25. Rott E., Pipp E., Phister P., van Dam H., Ortler
K., Binder N., Pall K. (1999) Indicationslisten für
Aufwuchsalgen in österreichischen Flieβgewässern.Teil
2: Trophieinindikation sowie geohemishche Präferenz,
taxonomische und toxikologische Anmerkun. WWK gen.
Bundesministerium für Land’und forstwirtschaft, Wien. p.
248.
26.Sladeček V. (1973) System of water quality from
the biological point of view, E. Schweizerbatsche
verlagstbuchhondlung 7. p. 218.
27.SiemińskaJ. (1992) List of threateened plants in Poland
(2nd ed.) (K. Zarzycky, W. Wojewoda, Z. Heinrich, Eds.).
Polish Academy of Sciences, W. Szafer Institute of Botany,
Cracow, 7-19.
28.SimićS. (2002) Makroalge u tekućicama brdsko-planinskih
područja Srbije. Doktorska disertacija, Univerzitet u
Beogradu, Beograd, p. 215.
29.SimićS. (2007) Kragujevac. J. Sci., 29, 97-106.
30.Simić V., Simić S., Paunović M., Cakić P. (2007)
Biodivers. Conserv., 16, 2471-2493.
31. Starmach K. (1969) I. Ag. Acta Soc. Bot. Pol., 38(3), 523-
533.
32. Starmach K. (1982) Fragm. Flor. Geobbot., 28(2), 257-
293.
33.Stoyneva M., Stancheva. R.S., Nedyalkova M. (2002)
Phytologia Balcanica, 8(2), 197-204.
34.Stoyneva M.P., Stancheva R., Gärtner G. (2003) Ber.
Nat.-med. Verein Innsbruck, 90, 61-71.
35. Vouk V. (1953). Godišn. Biol. Instituta u Sarajevu, 5, 437-
444.
36.Żelazna-WieczorekJ.,ZiułkiewicyM. (2008) Acta Soc.
Bot. Pol., 77(1), 41-47.
... With respect to ecological characteristics, this freshwater red alga prefers streams and rivers with a hard bottom substrate, alkaline pH, and clean hard water (Caisová, 2006;Eloranta andKwandrans, 2007, 2004;Kitayama, 2014;Simić, 2008;Simić et al., 2010;Ż elazna-Wieczorek and Ziułkiewicz, 2008). This red alga is usually reported in shaded and fastflowing streams. ...
... The first-ever graphic summary of the HR distribution in Europe is shown in Fig. 2A. The distribution map was created based on published data (Baláži and Hrivnák, 2015;Barinova et al., 2011;Baxová, 2016;Blagojević et al., 2017;Bolpagni et al., 2016;Caisová and Kopecký, 2008;Cantonati et al., 2016;Caraus, 2017Caraus, , 2012Ceschin et al., 2013;Chapuis et al., 2014;Eloranta et al., 2016Eloranta et al., , 2011Eloranta andKwandrans, 2007, 2004;Fritsch, 1929;Kohler et al., 2000;Koletić et al., 2020;Kostkevičienė and Laučiūtė, 2009;Kostkevičienė and Sinkevičienė, 2008;Krasznai et al., 2006;Kwandrans and Eloranta, 2010;Lindstrøm and Rueness, 2009;Luther, 1954;Nienhuis, 2003;Pakulnicka and Nowakowski, 2012;Sabater et al., 1989;Serbȃnescu, 1962;Sherwood et al., 2002;Simić, 2008;Simić et al., 2010;Stoyneva et al., 2003;Tarnavschi, 1941;Temniskova et al., 2008;Vitonyte and Kostkeviciene, 2009;Zidarova et al., 2011). ...
... (Starmach, 1969b(Starmach, , 1969a. Nonetheless, the numerous records showing that this species can be found across the entire country led us to conclude that HR should not be treated as a sporadically occurring species of red alga that prefers only a few particular habitats, e.g., slow-flowing carbonate waters (Barinova, 2013), mountain streams and rivers (Caisová, 2006;Eloranta andKwandrans, 2007, 2004;Simić, 2008;Simić et al., 2010;Ż elazna-Wieczorek and Ziułkiewicz, 2008), as previous studies suggested. ...
Article
Full-text available
Our knowledge about the size of benthic red alga populations inhabiting European freshwater ecosystems is still insufficient. For many years, in Europe, Hildenbrandia rivularis (Rhodophyta, Hildenbrandiaceae) was believed to be a very rare species of crustaceous red algae, valuable for oligotrophic system biomonitoring. In this paper, we challenge this assumption and show the phenomenon of H. rivularis expansion (i.e., from mountains and highlands to lowlands) in Europe based on detailed data from Poland. We collected over 311 records of H. rivularis occurring in rivers, streams and lakes (not typical habitats for this alga) across the country, including historical data. Here, we show the detailed distribution of this endangered species in Poland, one of the largest European countries. To examine the mechanism of H. rivularis population expansion, physicochemical data from 122 aquatic ecosystems were investigated. A comparison between three subperiods (1860-1944, 1945-1999, and 2000-2019) revealed an increase in the average abundance of the H. rivularis population in the lowlands area. However, the studied species seems to be disappearing in mountain and upland ecosystems. We found altitude and water flow and quality (i.e., alkalinity, oxygenation and biogens) to be the main determinants of H. rivularis occurrence within the study area. The results indicate that this red alga can be described as an expansive species, and its occurrence does not always indicate good water quality and fast water flow. Surprisingly, in contrast to observations from the last century, the population of H. rivularis in Poland currently occurs mainly in habitats with eu-and hypertrophic waters. We point out here that in the zone with temperate climate influence, H. rivularis is no longer an obvious indicator for oligotrophic ecosystems. We suggest that climate warming and eutrophication-reoligotrophication may have contributed to the increased spread of H. rivularis in Europe over recent decades. In addition, we see no reason to classify H. rivularis as an endangered species in Poland. This species most often inhabits anthropogenic water systems and occurs at high abundance in waters with high concentrations of biogens. For these reasons, H. rivularis is more ubiquitous than a cosmopolitan species (i.e., with a wide range of occurrence but associated with only a specific type of habitat and specific environmental parameters). Thus, the value of H. rivularis as a bioindicator for oligotrophic water ecosystems is very low.
... Hildenbrandia rivularis is found worldwide, and its distribution has been confirmed by many authors (Simić 2008;Ceschin et al. 2013). New findings of H. rivularis on the Balkan Peninsula have been reported from mountainous areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Bulgaria (Simić 2008); Slovenia (Vrhovšek et al. 2006); Romania (Caraus 2012); and in the Dragovištica River near the town of Bosilegrad in Serbia (Simić 2008). ...
... Hildenbrandia rivularis is found worldwide, and its distribution has been confirmed by many authors (Simić 2008;Ceschin et al. 2013). New findings of H. rivularis on the Balkan Peninsula have been reported from mountainous areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Bulgaria (Simić 2008); Slovenia (Vrhovšek et al. 2006); Romania (Caraus 2012); and in the Dragovištica River near the town of Bosilegrad in Serbia (Simić 2008). Тhere is evidence that H. rivularis persists over a wide range of nutrient concentrations in UK rivers (Kelly et al. 2015). ...
... Hildenbrandia rivularis is found worldwide, and its distribution has been confirmed by many authors (Simić 2008;Ceschin et al. 2013). New findings of H. rivularis on the Balkan Peninsula have been reported from mountainous areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Bulgaria (Simić 2008); Slovenia (Vrhovšek et al. 2006); Romania (Caraus 2012); and in the Dragovištica River near the town of Bosilegrad in Serbia (Simić 2008). Тhere is evidence that H. rivularis persists over a wide range of nutrient concentrations in UK rivers (Kelly et al. 2015). ...
Article
Full-text available
The paper presents the first record of the freshwater red alga Paralemanea torulosa and new findings of the species Lemanea fluviatilis and Hildenbrandia rivularis in Serbia. The existence of all three species was recorded in the upper reaches of clean fast-flowing rivers and brooks belonging to the basin of the Danube River. Lemanea fluviatilis was found in the Dojkinacka River in Eastern Serbia, while Paralemanea torulosa was recorded in the Drina River and Hildenbrandia rivularis in the Cvetica Brook and Bioštanska Banja Brook in Western Serbia. These reports are important for conservation of the biodiversity of Serbia, since it is well known that freshwater red algae are endangered and rare species (taxa) in many countries. In Serbia they are under strict protection of the law. © 2017 Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden Jevremovac, Belgrade.
... The data about the distribution of red algae in freshwaters of Serbia have been gathered for the period between 1889 and 2008. We used the data that have already been collected and published in the Flora algae of Serbia, part 2 Rhodophyta ) from 1889 to 2001, and then collected the data on the distribution of red algae in Serbia from different authors published for the period between 2001 and 2008 (Branković et al., 2007;Ržaničanin et al, 2003;Simić, 2002Simić, , 2007Simić, , 2007aSimić, , 2008Simić, , 2008aSimić et al. 2006Simić et al. , 2007Simić et al. , 2007a. Adding the data to the applicative electronic data base -Biodiversity of the Aquatic Ecosystems of Serbia (BAES -ex situ) (Simić et al., 2006a , http://baes.pmf.kg.ac.rs/). ...
... Based on the data about the red algae given in the database, endangerment degree assessment (Simić et al., 2006a, http://baes.pmf.kg.ac.rs/), and earlier recommendations (Simić, 2007(Simić, , 2007a(Simić, , 2008(Simić, , 2008a Despite the afore mentioned legal regulations, it is evident that endangerment factors of the habitats on which the red algae have been found and in areas of protected nature exist. One of the indirect influences (in certain cases also direct) are the planned tourist activities and the development of winter tourism (deforestation for ski track formation, artificial snow, spring capping , hotel complex with accompanying facilities, waste waters, solid waste, heavy machinery). ...
... The species of Bangia atropurpurea is extremely stenovalent to water temperature, oxygen, water speed and other abiotic parameters characteristic for upper streams of mountain rivers (Simić, 2008a). Therefore, any factors (deforestation on river banks, erosion, water blurring and water stream speed disorder) that cause a change in the abiotic parameters in the habitat are potentially unfavorable. ...
Article
Full-text available
Based on the red algae data published in the works from 1889 to 2008 and downloaded into the electronic database titled Biodiversity of the aquatic ecosystems of Serbia, ex situ protection (BAES-ex situ) (Simić et al., 2006a, http://baes.pmf.kg.ac.rs), it was established that in the mouths of the rivers, springs and rivers (at about 70 localities), 16 taxsons of the red algae of the classes Bangiophyceae (Bangia) and Florideophyceae (Batrachospermum, Chantransia, Hildenbrandia, Lemanea, Paralemanea and Thorea) were recorded. The largest number of habitats of the red algae in Serbia were mainly within the bountaries of the protected natural goods. Protection -wise, the most important habitats are the ones where the following species were found: Thorea hyspida (The Beli Timok near Zaječar, The Sava near Šabac), Bangia atropurpurea (The Trgoviški Timok – Gornja Kamenica, The Raška River – near the monastery of Sopoćani, The Nišava River) and Paralemanea annulata (The Masurička River). These habitats were not recorded as special importnace habitats, and therefore they were not protected. The highly endangered habitats were the ones with Thorea hyspida (The Beli Timok – near Zaječar and Sava River – near Šabac). Sandy terrains are located in the vicinity of these habitats. In order to protect the red algae, which are known to be stenovalent by the large number of the abiotic and biotic parameters, it's necessary to properly respect the legal measures that determine the way of managing the protected areas of nature. This especially includes: planned tourism activities, the activities in the area of forestry, waterpower engineering, traffic and etc. that could lead to changes in the ecological status of the habitats. It's suggested that these listed habitats should get protected and proper legal measures should be carried out in order to allow for the separated endangered taxons, which are known to be endangered or extinct in the waters of some European countries, to continue living there.
... Hildenbrandia rivularis is a crust-forming red alga that is currently considered a strictly protected species under Serbian law (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia 5/2010Serbia 5/ , 47/2011Serbia 5/ , 32/2016Serbia 5/ and 98/2016Serbia 5/ , 2016. Until 2017, H. rivulars was found in only three localities in Serbia (Simić 2008;Blagojević et al. 2017), but recently Rakonjac and Simić reported it in 30 new localities , while Šovran and Knežević (Tomović et al. 2023) (Koletić et al. 2018) and the Temštica River (upper reaches) in Serbia (Sabovljević et al. 2023). ...
... Map of the current published records of Hildenbrandia rivularis and Heribaudiuella fluviatilis in Serbia, including records presented in this article and data provided in Simić (2008), Blagojević et al. (2008), Tomović et al. (2023) and Sabovljević et al. (2023). ...
Article
Heribaudiella fluviatilis (Areschoug) Svedelius is one of the rare representatives of freshwater brown algae, and its range is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebmann) J. Agardh is still one of the endangered red algae species in Europe, although its indicator value and distribution have recently been questioned. The association Hildenbrandio rivularis– Heribaudielletum fluviatilis Fritsch 1929 corr. Täuscher 2020 occurs mainly in Northern and Central Europe, while its occurrence and ecology in Southern Europe are poorly researched. The lower reaches of the Nera River near the small town of Bela Crkva, Serbia, were searched for macroalgae in August 2021 and June 2022, when stones with macroalgal crusts were collected. Environmental parameters were measured in situ and water samples were collected for further analysis. A sample of the epilithic diatom community was collected to calculate diatom indices. We present the occurrence of the association Hildenbrandio rivularis–Heribaudielletum fluviatilis in the lower course of the Nera River in Serbia, relating the ecology of the species and habitat to previous findings from the Southeast European region. We discuss potential indicator values of macroalgae associations, rather than of a single species.
... Видът е съобщаван от Европа (Starmach 1984;Sabater & al. 1989;Gutowski & al. 2004;Simić 2008 и др.) и други континенти (Sheath & al. 1993) и е известен с това, че предпочита чисти, бързотечащи и добре аерирани води. В редица страни в Западна и Централна Европа H. rivularis e считан за рядък и дори застрашен от изчезване вид (Simić 2008). В България, до момента, H. rivularis е познат от едва седем находища в западната част на страната (Петков 1908-1909Stoyneva & al. 2002Stoyneva & al. , 2003, и e включен в Червен списък на българските водо расли (Temniskova & al. 2008) с категорията Почти застрашен (NT). ...
... В България H. rivularis e установен в реки, потоци и извори при pH 7,0-8,2 и температура на водата 4-18 °C (Stoyneva & al. 2002(Stoyneva & al. , 2003. В Сърбия и Полша видът е намерен във води с pH 7, 03-8,7, температура 8,9-16,3 °C и електропроводимост 228-307 µS/cm (Simić 2008;Żelazna-Wieczorek & Ziułkiewicz 2008). При изследване на бентосните водорасли (с изкл. ...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Hildenbrandia rivularis, a rarely found red algal species and one of the few red algae that occur in freshwaters, has been recorded for the eighth time in Bulgaria. In 2011 during phyto- and macrozoobenthos sampling along Tundzha river, on submerged cobbles and pebbles of the river near Gavrailovo village (close to the city of Sliven), variable in size and shape red spots were noticed. Microscopic analysis confirmed that the spots were thalli of H. rivularis. This is the first record of H. rivularis for Eastern Bulgaria. Some data for the ecological conditions of Tundzha river near Gavrailovo village are also provided.
... The highly expansive potential and ubiquitous features of H. rivularis ecotypes may be correlated with global warming and internal eutrophication-reoligotrophication processes, which have been observed in European water ecosystems for decades. However, H. rivularis is still considered a threatened or endangered red alga in many European countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Finland, and Serbia (Cantonati et al., 2016;Jakubas et al., 2014;Marhold and Hindák, 1998;Rassi et al., 2010;Simić, 2008). ...
... Geographical focus: Serbia New records and noteworthy data: New localities in Serbia for H. rivularis, which is considered to be threatened in Serbia. The first record of freshwater red algae H. rivularis in Serbia was recorded in the Dragovištica River in the village Radičevci (Bosilegrad) in 2008 (Simić 2008). After that, this species was found in the Cvetića brook and Bioštanska Banja brook, the tributaries of the Vrutci Reservoir in Western Serbia (Blagojević et al. 2017). ...
Article
Full-text available
This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Eu-rope and adjacent regions: red algae Hildenbrandia rivularis, saprotrophic fungus Cryptomarasmius corbariensis, lichenised fungi Lecanora stenotropa, Micarea misella and Sticta sylvatica, liverworts Fossombronia caespitiformis and Peltolepis quadrata, mosses Dicranoweisia cirrata and Fissidens exilis, horsetail Equisetum × moorei, gymnosperm Juniperus virginiana, monocots Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis and Spiranthes spiralis and dicots Linaria pelisseriana, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Pilosella rhodopea and Taraxacum erythrospermum are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions.
... The distribution of red algae in Serbia has been confined to relatively few localities so far, the list of genera recorded to date including Bangia, Batrachospermum, Chantransia, Hildenbrandia, Lemanaea, Paralemanea and Thorea (Simić & Ranković 1998;Blaženčić et al. 2002;Cvijan 2002;Branković et al. 2007;Simić 2007;Simić 2008;Andrejić et al. 2010;Simić & Pantović 2010;Simić et al. 2010;Simić et al. 2014;Simić & Đorđević 2017;Simić et al. 2016). Thalli of freshwater algae of the genus Batrachospermum (Batrachospermaceae, Batrachospermales) have been found in springs, streams and rivers of Serbia. ...
Article
Full-text available
The paper describes the distribution and ecology of populations of the genus Batrachospermum collected in Serbia from 2006 to 2015 at 10 sites, all of which represent new localities of Batrachospermum in Serbia. The records of this genus in the Boračka River and in a spring near Kragujevac (Cerovac) are the first in Central Serbia. Batrachospermum was recorded at altitudes of from 235 to 1600 m at localities mainly in partial or full shade on stone, gravel or concrete substrata in cold water (10.50 - 15.40ºC) that was neutral to weakly alkaline (pH 7.2 – 8.65) with conductivity of from 55 to 539 µS/cm. Species of the genus Batrachospermum in Serbia have to date been recorded in clean, well-aerated waters with a low concentration of biogenic salts and in habitats without anthropogenic impact. Any factors altering abiotic parameters of their habitats can lead to changes and the loss of populations of the sensitive species of this genus.
... Hildenbrandia rivularis is a significant component of the vegetation of lowland rivers in central Europe (E lorant a and Kw andrans 2004, Ż elazna-Wieczorek and Z iułkiewicz 2008, Simić 2008, Simić et al. 2010). According to the literature (Starmach 1969a, b 1982, E lorant a and Kw and r ans 2004, 2007, C ais ová 2006, Sim ić 2008, Ż elazna-Wieczorek and Z iułkiewicz 2008, its distribution in rivers and streams is strongly connected with pioneering stands, as well as mineral channel substrates, such as stones and rocks. Paradoxically, the occurrence of this freshwater algae is also related to disturbed environmental conditions, such as hydromorphological changes in riverbeds caused by dams, weirs and reinforcements (e. g., D ąmbska 1961g., D ąmbska , Nichols 1965. ...
Article
Full-text available
The relationships of Hildenbrandia rivularis (Rhodophyta), the species composition of its surroundings detailed environmental variables (water chemistry and hydrological, morphological and bottom features) in a lowland river (Wełna river, Western Poland) was investigated. H. rivularis from 40 stands was tested together with 25 environmental variables and vegetation. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used to describe the relations between the species composition and the selected variables. The uniqueness of this protected species is an ability of formation incrustation on rocks but also coexistence with two groups of species: other algae and vascular plants. In study twenty-two plant taxa were recorded in 40 vegetation plots, including 4 macroscopic algae, 2 mosses and 16 vascular plants. The most common H. rivularis co-occurred with Leptodictyum riparium, Fontinalis antipyretica and Nuphar lutea. Most of the studied plots with red algae were characterised by shallow water and strong watervelocity. H. rivularis prefers alkaline water with high conductivity. The results of the RDA, after forward selection, demonstrated that pH gradient, optical features such as dissolved organic matter and water colour – control the variation in the floristic communities with H. rivularis.
Article
Full-text available
Nature, species and biodiversity conservation should be a priority of each country. Publishing of Red Lists of animals or higher plants is quite common, but practical protection of algae and especially microalgae is quite a complex task with several difficulties. These complications are the result of our quite poor knowledge about biodiversity (taxonomy, phylogeny) of microalgae together with insufficient data about worldwide distribution of microalgae taxa (undersampling). The need to protect microorganisms, microalgae and heterotrophic protists is a crucial matter due to their role in bioindication and evaluation of the quality of their habitats. That is why it is necessary to have a Red List of these phototrophic organisms as a practical manual for the protection of their habitat and, subsequently, also to have it as a basis for the protection of these organisms. Generally, microorganisms must be viewed not as rare species (in terms of their poor knowledge about distribution, ecology and taxonomy), but as little-known species and a Red List would reflect this idea. We propose a Red List of microalgae, using euglenophytes as a model group, with reflection of taxonomy and autecology of listed species with links to endangered habitats: habitat protection must be understood as a synonym for species conservation. Our proposal is the “starting point” for the evaluation of microalgal biodiversity of the Czech Republic and for deducting conclusions that can be used in the practical habitat conservation.
Article
Full-text available
A biomonitoring program was developed to assess the ecological status of streams based on the phytobenthic algal community structure. The study presented here focuses on siliceous sites of streams in the central highlands of Germany. Phytobenthic algae belonging to eight classes and 74 taxa were grouped into four categories according to their ecological distribution pattern. A for-mula was designed to calculate an index ranging from +100 to –100 to assess stream health. Based on these values, the sampling sites were assigned to one of the five ecological quality classes required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union.
Article
Full-text available
Freshwater red algae Hildenbrandia rivularis has been noted for the first time in central Poland near the Lodz agglomeration. Until now, this alga was recorded only in mountain and Polish Lowland areas. The wide range of habitat conditions influencing the occurrence for this protected species has been determined in the spring niche. The possible threat to habitat where H. rivularis occurs, is connected with construction and exploitation of the A2 highway.
Article
Full-text available
In the period 1995–2006, the biodiversity of the aquatic habitats in the area of Serbia was explored, with the aim to identify the endangered species of macroalgae, macroinvertebratae and fishes. During the work a data base was formed (Aquatic Ecosystems Diversity in Serbia, AEDSer), containing the data from exploring the biodiversity of the aquatic ecosystems of Serbia since 1860. Based on the data base, classification of the aquatic species was made into categories of endangerment based on IUCN criteria. The following was noted: (1) the global IUCN category assigned to the species often is not identical with the national status of endangerment; and (2) the species that are given a category of endangerment at the national level do not have the same realistic risk of extinction in all their habitats. This remark imposed the need for a model for assessing the critical risk of extinction of the endangered species and determining the priorities of their protection at the national level. Two categories of characters were used to develop the model: the characters that determine the degree of ecological specialisation of the species based on the circumstances of habitat; and the characters suggesting the risk factors from the system: “HIPPO” in the spatial and time dimension. The possibility to apply the model was tested on 10 aquatic species belonging to different categories of endangerment at the national level (macroalgae 2, macroinvertebrates 7, and fishes 1 species). The model based on points determined the level of extinction risk and, that way, the species needing urgent conservation from the same or different categories of endangerment were isolated. The model suggested can contribute to a more efficient defining the conservation priorities. KeywordsBiodiversity-Conservation-Model-Aquatic species-Critical extinction risk-Serbia
Article
The most frequent of the 11 species was Batrachospermum boryanum; B. skujae, B. durum, B. arcuatum, B. crouanianum and Hildenbrandia rivularis were rarer. -from Author
Article
The pros and cons of the old saprobic system are discussed with a view to select the good ideas from the older attempts, to modernize present methods, and to establish the fundamentals for a future universal system of water quality. In addition, the author proposes an open saprobic system, able to be supplemented, modernized and computerized. The first and main component of the system is the amount and intensity of decomposition of autochthonous as well as allochthonous organic matter in water as reflected in the communities. As the main theoretical assumptions of the saprobity system the following two principles are considered: dependence of saprobic organisms on the environment, and successions, occurring in two directions. The second main component of the system of water quality is the toxicity, expressing the toxic effects of chemical compounds on aquatic organisms and their communities. The third main component of the system is the radioactivity, indicating the amount of natural and artificial nuclides in water and aquatic organisms.
Article
Freshwater red algae (Rhodophyta) occur mainly in running waters. They are generally indicators of good water quality (oligotrophic, oligosaprobic). Many of them are also included on lists of threatened algae. According to the literature, the range of occurrence of red algae at the group level is wide for current velocity, water conductivity and pH. At the genus level, some genera seem to prefer or need hard water and an alkaline environment (Compsopogon. Hildenbrandia, Thorea), whereas others prefer soft water (conductivity < 100 μS m-1). They may also occur in acid water (Audouinella, Batrachospermum, Lemanea, Sirodotia and Tuomeya). With the exception of those living in hard waters, most species also have a rather wide ecological tolerance as measured by common water quality variables. Trophic and saprobic classifications seem to depend rather on geographical conditions than on the real ecological preferences of red algal taxa.
Article
Macroscopic red algae were sampled simultaneously with diatom sampling from 60 locations in central Finnish rivers and at some rivers in south coast rivers in the summers 1986, 1993 and 1994. In those samples 17 red algal taxa from 5 genera (Audouinella (3). Batrachospermum (7). Lemanea (4), Sirodotia (2) and Tuomeya (1)) were identified. Some of these taxa were new to Finland and two were new for Europe.
  • V Vouk
Vouk V. (1953). Godišn. Biol. instituta u Sarajevu, 5, 437-444.
  • Petrovska Lj
Petrovska Lj. (1966) Fragmenta balkanika Mus. Maced. Scient. natur., Balk. 5, 189-194.