Bibliographic Detail
Dell'Uomo, A., 1976
Reference:
Dell'Uomo, A. (1976). Contributo alla florura algale del Pian Grande (Appennino centrale) con considerazioni biogeografiche su alcune specie rare ed alticole. Biogeographia – The Journal of Integrative Biogeography 6: 145-162, 1 table, 2 text-figs, 4 photos. [in Italian; English and Italian abstracts]
Notes:
Title in English: Contribution to the algal flora of “Pian Grande” (Central Apennine) with biogeographical consideration on some rare and mountain species
Abstract:
The “Pian Grande” near Castelluccio di Norcia is a large closed basin, of tectonic and carsic origin, situated in the Celtral Apennine at an altitude of about 1300 m. The lowest part of the basin is runned by Fosso Mergani which collects the superficial waters, all of meteoric orogin, and carries them to a wide dewatering-well where they disappear in the sub-soil. Along the bed of Mergani there are numerous pools in which the water stagnates all year round; at the sides there are several dolinas, the most interesting of which are bowl-shaped, have an impermeable bottom and are full of water for the greater part of the year. In these surroundings, two algal collections, consisting of 48 samples, were taken in August-September 1973 and March-April 1974. In all, 164 species and varieties belonging o the following classes, were identified: Cyanophyceae 13, Dinophyceae 1, Euglenophyceae 6, Chrysophyceae 4, Xanthophyceae 11, Bacillariophyceae 59, Chlorophyceae 39, Zygophyceae 31. Among the most interesting forms are in particular: 1) a species new to science (Characiopsis closteriana); some rare or very rare species, especially in Europe, such as Navicula semen and Navicula amphibola; 2) two Desmids, Cosmarium anceps and Euastrum verrucosum var. alpinum, known before now in Italy only in the Alps and which indicate as many glacial relics; 3) other species again which are exclusive or characteristic of the high mountains. In relation to the “system of saprobic organisms”, the Fosso Mergani and the dolins were attributed, on the basis of the species found there, to the section of limnosaprobity, level of beta-mesosaprobity. Furthermore, along the Mergani, the association of Oedogonieto-Eterocontetum Margalef, a very mature algal community comparable to the “climax” stage of an association of higher plants, has been noted.
