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Some Charophyta (Charales) from Coastal Temporary Ponds in Velipoja Area (North Albania)



Author(s)

Vilza Zeneli1 and Lefter Kashta

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DOI:10.17265/2162-5263/2016.02.002

Charophytes or stoneworts constitute a group of macrophytes that occur mostly in fresh-water environments but can also be found in brackish waters. Knowledge about stoneworts in Albania is still scarce and incomplete. According to published data on charoflora of Albania, there are 24 species and four genera known from different freshwater habitats. The present work is based on plant material sampled from 5 slightly brackish-water temporary ponds in the coastal area of Velipoja (north Albania). During spring and summer of 2013-2015, field surveys were carried out with the main purpose of filling knowledge gaps concerning brackish water charophytes. Altogether seven species were identified: four typical of brackish water habitat (Chara baltica, Chara canescens, Chara galioides and Chara connivens) and three of broader tolerance (Chara aspera, Chara vulgaris and Tolypella glomerata). The first three species, which considered as the rarest and most threatened on the Balkans were found for the first time in Albania.

Charophyta, brackish water, Albania, Velipoja area, temporary ponds