New finds of Rhodophyta i n the Kharkiv region (Ukraine)

Freshwater red algae is a small group of algal flora of Ukraine. In Kharkiv region there are 6 known species (Dogadina, 2009), n amely Porphyridiumpurpureum (Bory) Drew et Ross, CompsopogonchalybeusKütz., Cha ntransiachalybea (Roth) Fr., Batrachospermum sp., Batrachospermumgelatinosum (L.) D.C., Thoreahispida (Thore) Desvaux. Some of them were found only in one or two locations. Because of this, new finds of red alga e in the Kharkiv region are of a certain intere st. During 2014-2016, we did research the algae in the Slobozhansky National P ark and adjacent territories. The water object s of the park are represented by numerous swamps and two rivers - Merla and Merchik. It is the river Merchik where two representa tives of Rhodophyta were found: Batrachospermum gelatinosum (L.) D.C. - found in the vicinity of the nature park Slobozhansky , near Volodymyrivka village (Krasnokutsk dis trict), in Merchik (river reach with clear, col d water and rapid flow), single samples on the rhizome of Nupharlutea L., 10.05.2014. This is the second location in the Kharkiv region (th e species was discovered for the first time in the national park Dvorichansky , Oskil river, 2002 (Gorbulin et al., 2005)). The specie s is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine with a rare conservational status. Scientific sign ificance of the finding is that it is one of the few species of freshwater red algae with reducing habitat. It is important in the studies of areol ogy and algal biodiversity (Red Data Book of Ukraine, 2009). During the next two years we have not encountered this species. Chantransiachalybea (Roth) Fr. - fou nd in the same place, in the foulings of Nupharlutea L. and Ceratophyllum sp., 10.08.2014. According to the literature, this species is wides pread in the rivers of the Forest-steppe and Steppe of Ukraine (Algae, 2006). Despite this, we are aware of only a few of its occurrences in the waterbodies of Kharkiv region (miner al water springs (Kharkiv), Siverskyi Donets river); and of massive growth of Chantransia chalybea in private aquariums.

Freshwater red algae is a small group of algal flora of Ukraine. In Kharkiv region there are 6 known species (Dogadina, 2009), n amely Porphyridiumpurpureum (Bory) Drew et Ross, CompsopogonchalybeusKütz., Cha ntransiachalybea (Roth) Fr., Batrachospermum sp., Batrachospermumgelatinosum (L.) D.C., Thoreahispida (Thore) Desvaux. Some of them were found only in one or two locations. Because of this, new finds of red alga e in the Kharkiv region are of a certain intere st. During 2014-2016, we did research the algae in the Slobozhansky National P ark and adjacent territories. The water object s of the park are represented by numerous swamps and two rivers - Merla and Merchik. It is the river Merchik where two representa tives of Rhodophyta were found: Batrachospermum gelatinosum (L.) D.C. - found in the vicinity of the nature park Slobozhansky , near Volodymyrivka village (Krasnokutsk dis trict), in Merchik (river reach with clear, col d water and rapid flow), single samples on the rhizome of Nupharlutea L., 10.05.2014. This is the second location in the Kharkiv region (th e species was discovered for the first time in the national park Dvorichansky , Oskil river, 2002 (Gorbulin et al., 2005)). The specie s is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine with a rare conservational status. Scientific sign ificance of the finding is that it is one of the few species of freshwater red algae with reducing habitat. It is important in the studies of areol ogy and algal biodiversity (Red Data Book of Ukraine, 2009). During the next two years we have not encountered this species. Chantransiachalybea (Roth) Fr. - fou nd in the same place, in the foulings of Nupharlutea L. and Ceratophyllum sp., 10.08.2014. According to the literature, this species is wides pread in the rivers of the Forest-steppe and Steppe of Ukraine (Algae, 2006). Despite this, we are aware of only a few of its occurrences in the waterbodies of Kharkiv region (miner al water springs (Kharkiv), Siverskyi Donets river); and of massive growth of Chantransia chalybea in private aquariums.