The genera Chara and Nitella (Chlorophyta, Characeae) in the subtropical Itaipu Reservoir, Brazil

Abstract

The family Characeae, represented by two genera in Brazil, Chara and Nitella, is considered to include the closest living relatives of land plants, and its members play important ecological role in aquatic ecosystems. The present taxonomic survey of Chara and Nitella was performed in tributaries that join to form the Brazilian shore of the Itaipu Reservoir on the Paraná River. Thirteen species were recorded, illustrated, and described: C. braunii var. brasiliensis R. Bicudo, C. guairensis R. Bicudo, N. acuminate A. Braun ex Wallman, N. furcata (Roxburgh ex Bruzileus) C. Agardh, and N. subglomerata A.Braun, already cited for the reservoir, and C. hydropitys Reichenbach, C. rusbyana Howe, N. axillaris A. Braun, N. glaziovii G. Zeller, N. gracilis (Smith) C. Agardh, N. hyalina (DC.) C.Agardh, N. inversa Imahori, and N. microcarpa A. Braun that represent new occurrences for the Itaipu Reservoir and Paraná State. Among the species encountered, C. guairensis, N. furcata, and N. glaziovii are widely distributed, while C. hydropitys and C. rusbyana have more restricted distributions.