morphological and ecological characteristics of rare

97 

Kragujevac J. Sci. 29 (2007) 97-106. UDC 582.273:581.95 

MORPHOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS 

OF RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 

LEMANEA FLUVIATILIS (LINNÉ) C. AG. (LEMANEACEAE, 

RHODOPHYTA) ON NEW LOCALITIES IN SERBIA 

Snežana Simić 

Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 

Radoja Domanovića 12, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia 

e-mail: snezasi@kg.ac.yu 

(Received April 11, 2007) 

ABSTRACT. In this study, morphological and ecological characteristics of 

Lemanea fluviatilis (Linné) C. Ag. that was found on localities in Resava River 

(East Serbia), Božička River and Vlasina River (South Serbia) are presented. 

All mentioned localities are new finds of L. fluviatilis. It was noticed certain 

variability in appearance and structure of algae on different localities and 

confirmed stenovalence of this alga in relation to ecological factors, such as: 

substrate, speed of water, aeration, temperature, pH, electro conductivity and 

water quality. Thali of species L. fluviatilis were found on 450-1100m a.s.l., in 

running waters (around 1m/s), on boulders and rocks (in fish pond Lisine, on 

concrete), in cold (10-13.8 0 C) and well aerated water (concentration of oxygen 

from 8.59 to 8.71mg/L), with high saturation (from 90.6 to 98.7%), pH values 

from 7.1 to 7.8 and electro conductivity from 70 to 160µS /cm. 

At the one side, certain stenovalence of the L. fluviatilis in relation to the 

mentioned ecological factors, and greater endangerment of its habitats by 

different antropogenic influences on another side, speaks about its vulnerability 

and endangerment, and need for protection of its habitats. 

Key words: Lemanea fluviatilis (Linné) C. Ag., morphology, ecology, new 

localities, Serbia.

98 

INTRODUCTION 

Freshwater red algae (Rhodophyta) appear to be endangered algal group in many 

countries. These algae can characterize their environments in many ways and are connected 

to their different preferences for physical, chemical and biological variables (ELORANTA & 

KWANDRANS 2004). 

Data about distribution of L. fluviatilis indicate that this species was found on 

relatively small number of localities in Europe: (PEVALEK, 1916; VOUK 1953; PETROVSKA, 

1966; MATONIČKIN & PAVLETIĆ, 1960; WHITHON, 1975; STARMACH, 1977; KAWECKA, 

1980; SABATER et al., 1989; ELORANTA & KWANDRANS, 1995; ROTT et al., 1999, KUČERA 

& MARVAN, 2004) of the North Amerika (VIS & SHEATH, 1992), South America (Brasil) 

(NECCHI et al. 1999) and Australia (ENTVISLE, 1989). 

In Serbia, genus Lemanea (species Lemanea fluviatilis) was recorded at the first 

time in Crnovrška River (Stara planina) (SIMIĆ, 1995), and after that on some other 

localities in rivers of East (Golema River, Svrljiški Timok River and Mlava River) and 

West Serbia (Studenica) (SIMIĆ, 2002). 

Knowledge about small-number localities of species L. fluviatilis with specific 

ecological conditions contributed to including of this algae in Red list of algae, in some 

countries, where this species is defined as a vulnerable (V) (SIEMINSKA, 1992) or as 

(endangered) EN (HINDAK, 2001). 

The aim of this study is to present new data about morphological and ecological 

characteristics of L. fluviatilis populations that were found on new finds in rivers of Serbia. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS 

Algological material, in which species L. fluviatilis was recorded, was collected in 

Resava River (South Serbia), on two localities, as well as, per one locality on Božička 

River and Vlasina River (South Serbia). 

Physical and chemical characteristics on investigated localities were measured by 

field laboratory HANA INSTRUMENTS (APHA 1985). These measurements included: 

velocity, temperature of water, pH, electro conductivity of water, BOD, saturation with and 

concentration of oxygen and concentration of biogenic salts (phosphates and nitrates) 

(Table 1). 

All samples were collected from running water with turbulent flow (weirs and 

riffles). The algological material was fixed in 4% formaldehyde and is stored in the 

Algological collection of the Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, 

University of Kragujevac. For taxa identification the material was magnified 640 times and 

analyzed with a C. Zeiss-Amplival microscope. Measurements were performed with ocular 

micrometer whereby the material was magnified 160-640 times. 

In the laboratory we recorded the following morphological characters (Table 2): 

presence and incidence of branched plants, presence of a stalk, plant length, nodal diameter 

(ND), internodal diameter (ID), presence of axial cortical filaments, arrangement of 

spermatangial sori, length and diameter of carpospores (VIS & SHEATH, 1992; KUMANO, 

2003; KUČERA & MARVAN, 2004)

99 

RESULTS AND DISCUSION 

Description of the sampling localities 

The Resava River is 70 km long right tributary of the River Velika Morava. Its 

flow covers an average area of about 450km 2 . It is one of the largest rivers of the East 

Serbia. The Resava River, with its tributaries represents river basin in the Lisine ravine, 

where the biggest spring, called the Great spring occurs. The Resava River sources from 

Kučajske Mountains, and in upper part of its course is virgin wood and Vitanovac 

reservation. On protected area of around 38 h, huge beech trees grow. Canyon part of 

Resava River is 25 km long, and after that it is calm river running alongside Manasija 

Monastery, Despotovac town and Svilajnac town, and after 65km flows into West Morava. 

Water of this river is exceptionally clear, so it together with ravine of Suvaja River 

represents strict nature reservation of I category and it is under protection of our state. 

In May 1st 2003, thali of the species L. fluviatilis were found in trout fish pond 

“Lisine” (locality RR1), on concrete substrate, in zone of surf, on depth from 10 to 15cm. 

Fish pond is located on 450m a.s.l. Water depth of fish pond was from 1.5 to 2m (Table 1). 

In 12 April 2004, thali of the species L. fluviatilis were found in the river, on 700 

a.s.l., (locality RR2) on locality with wide from 2 to 6 m, depth from 0.3 to 1m (thali were 

always found on rocks, which were flooded by water, on depth of a few centimeters), in 

water of 10 0 C temperature, pH 7.8, concentration of dissolved oxygen 8,59mg/l, saturation 

90,6% and electro conductivity 160µS/cm (Table 1). 

Božička River (BR) sources on south-east slope of Vlasina plateau, after that fuses 

with Ljubatska River in Dragovištica River, which after some kilometers leaves teritory of 

Serbia and passes into Bulgaria. 

In 11 July 2003 and 15 August 2004, thali of the species L. fluviatilis were found on 

over 1100m a.s.l., on part of river where width is from 3-5m, depth from 0.1 do 0.7m, 

speed 1.1m. pH values measured in 11 July 2003 was 7.3, and 7.1 in 15 August 2004, 

concentration of oxygen 10.87mg/l, versus 8.71mg/l, saturation 99.2 and 98.4%, 

respectively, with small concentration of nutrients (nitrates 4.4 and 4.6mg/l, and fosfates 

0.400 and 0.443mg/l. Electro conductivity was 90µS/cm and 70µS/cm, respectively (Table 

1). 

Vlasina River (VR) is situated in the mountain region of the south-east part of 

Serbia. Its source is below the dam on the Vlasinsko Jezero reservoir, at 1210m a.s.l. and 

the month is near town Leskovac in the Južna Morava River. Primarily, Vlasina River was 

a natural arm of a Vlasina pest-bog. After the construction of the dam on the Vlasina River 

in 1949, 2km downstream from the place where it flowed out from the peat-bog the course 

of the river was out from the newly created reservoir. Geological substratum of the river 

bottom is mainly composed of crystalline shists. The main components of these rocs are 

sercite, chlorite, quartz and albite. Due to geological substratum, the hole area is permeate 

with a dense network of periodical and permanent streams. 

In 15.08.2004, the thali were found on locality below fish pond, at temperature 

12 0 C and pH 7.2, on 1150m a.s.l (Table 1).

100 

Table 1. Physical and chemical parameters of streams from which Lemanea fluviatilis 

plants were collected 

Rivers/ 

Resava River 

Vlasina 

Božička River 

River 

Lokality RR1 RR2 

BR 

Date/ 

Years 

1. 05 

2003. 

12. 04. 

2004. 

11. 07. 

2003. 

15.08. 

2004. 

15. 08. 

2004. 

Altitude (m) 450 800 1100 1100 1000 

Max. bed width (m) 6.0 5 3.5 

Max depth (m) 1.0 0.70 0.70 

Velocity (m/s) 1.5 1.1 1.1 1.1 

Temperat. of waters 

( 0 C) 

10 10.2 13.8 

Disolved oxygen 

(mg/l) 

8.59 10.87 8.51 

O 2 ( %) 90.6 99.2 98.4 

BOD 5 (mg/l) 0.5 0.4 

pH 7.8 7.3 7.1 

Phosphate (P) (mg/l) 0.058 0.400 0.443 

Nitrate ( N) (mg/l) 4.7 4.4 4.6 

Conductivity (µS/cm) 160 90 70 

Description of the alga 

The recent taxonomic concept of the family Lemaneaceae is based on both 

morphological and ultrastructural characters (VIS & SHEATH, 1992, SHEATH et al., 1996, 

ELORANTA & KWANDRANS, 2002; KUMANO, 2003). However, identification of the species 

is difficult (VIS & SHEATH, 1992). The morphological variability and its subjective 

evaluation does not allow a clear delimitation of the species. Thus, for delimiting species of 

Lemaneaceae both the morphology of vegetative and reproductive features and 

ultrastructural and molecular information is required (CARMONA & NECCHI, 2002). 

On the occasion of review of algological material and comparation of 

morphological and anatomical features, some varibility in relation to apearrance of algae 

on different localities, as well as in diffferent periods of the year was recorded (Table 2). 

Adult plants are in clods, in form of needle, to 12 cm height (on locality Valasina 

maximum was 4.5cm), unbranched or branched (on locality Resava and secondarly). The 

thali get narrower to apex in thin thread, and in base in thin, cilindric stem. They do not 

have cortex around central axis cell. Their color is from olive green to violet green. Width 

of nodus is from 400 to 900µm, and of internodus is from 210 do 770µm (ratio 

nodus:internodus is from 1.16 to 1.33). Knotty swellings are moderate visible, less in 

spring than in summer months. Lenght of carpospore is from 16 to 54µm, and width from 

9.9 to 39.0µm. 

Primary stadium (Chantransia stadium) was found on stand, on localities Resava in 

april and Božička River in july. It is 1-2 mm long, clod-like, branched, without hairs on 

the top. Mature individuals grow from lower cells of primary stadium. Cell are 16.5 do 

24µm long, 9.9 do 16 µm width (ratio lenght:width is 1.7 to 3.3). Monosporangia unknown. 

VR

Distribution and ecology of species L. fluviatilis 

On the base of relatively small number of data from contemporary literature, as well 

as new data presented in this study, it can be noticed that the L. fluviatilis is stenovalent 

when are in questions ecological factors, such as: type of water ecosystem, type of 

substrate, depth where thali develope, speed of water, aeration, temperature, pH and electro 

conductivity of water. 

Populations of species L. fluviatilis were found in hill-mountain rivers and streams 

of Europe, North and South America, on altitudes from 305 to 888m (SABATER et al., 

1989; VIS & SHEATH, 1992; NECCHI et al., 1999; KUČERA & MARVAN, 2004). In Serbia, 

the thali of species L. fluviatilis were found on latitudes from 500 to1100 m. Rivers in 

which this alga was found are mainly to 10m width, depth to 1m, open or partialy shaded 

(SABATER et al., 1989; VIS & SHEATH1992; NECCHI et al., 1999; SIMIĆ, 2002; KUČERA & 

MARVAN 2004). ELORANTA & KVADRANS (2004) reported data that this species was found 

in larger, open river. 

This algae always has been found on stable and hard substrates (stones, large rocks, 

and also concrete blocks or walls). The species was observed in Chezch Republic on stony 

substrates (boulders and cobbles) in riffles or weirs on depth from 2 to 15cm (KUČERA & 

MARVA 2004). 

It is known that red algae, and particularly algae of Lemaneaceae family generaly 

were found in running, turbulent waters. It was shown that in the rivers of Serbia, this 

species was found on localities where measured speed of water was from 0.4 (in Mlava 

River, at locality M1) to 1.40m/s (in Crnovrška River, at locality CR11) (SIMIC, 2002). 

Also, in the rivers of Finland, it was found at different speeds of water (min. 0.20 - max. 

1.90m/s) (ELORANTA & KWANDRANS, 1996). American authors (VIS & SHEATH, 1992) 

cited similar data for this species. However, it was noticed that thali of this algae were 

always found in those parts of river’s course where water speed was greater than average 

measured speed for that locality (around 1m/s), as well as, on places which were exposed 

to strong blow of water, or at least to pounding, that is places with high aeration. The thali 

were always found on small depth from 2 to 15cm, and sometimes in direct contact with 

air. 

Need of red algae for high concentration of oxygen confirme data that show 

frequency and coverness of this algae are much greater in water with high concentration of 

oxygen (SHEATH, 1984; SABATER et al., 1989; NECCHI et al., 1999). In rivers of Brasil, 

80% of recorded species were found in waters where saturation of oxygen was from 60 to 

100% (NECCHI et al., 1999) . At localities in Resava River and Božička River, the thali of 

L. fluviatilis have developed well in good aerated water (concentration of oxygen from 8.59 

to 8.71mg/l, high saturation from 90, 6 do 98.7%). 

Also, many investigations confirmed stenovalence of this species in relation to 

temperature. This species prefers cold water (mainly under 15 0 C). There are interesting 

data of Vis i Sheath (1992), who found this algae on habitats where measured temperature 

of water was above 15 0 C (max. 24 0 C), in rivers of Ontario State (North America). 

101

102 

Table 2. Characteristics of populations of Lemanea fluviatilis 

Locality 

Stalced od 

plants 

Branched 

plants 

Plant length (cm) Nodial Diameter (µm) Internodal Diameter (µm) 

Range 

mean 

±SD 

Axial cortical 

filaments 

Spermatangial 

sori 

arrangement 

Range 

mean 

±SD 

Range 

mean±SD 

Ratio 

ND:ID 

Resava River 

(RR1) yes 

Resava River 

(RR2) yes 


17.07 2003. yes 


15.08 2004. yes 

Vlasina River 

yes 

yes 5,0 12 8,0 3,0 no patches 500 900 603,6 112,6 340 620 451,8 80,6 1,33 

yes 1,5 10 4,8 2,5 no patches 620 880 700,0 87,0 540 770 605,6 72,3 1,16 

no/ 

yes 1,2 5 2,9 1,0 no patches 400 700 545,8 81,2 210 600 423,6 114 1,29 

no/ 

yes 1.5 4.5 3.4 1.0 no patches 500 700 598 71,2 430 600 506 70,2 1.18 

no/ 

yes 1,5 10 4,8 2,3 no patches 500 700 566,3 61,9 380 530 451,9 54,9 1,25

Some stenovalence can be observed in relation to electro conductivity. There are 

records of this algae in habitats with water electro conductivity to 300µS/cm (VIS & 

SHEATH, 1992), and also, to 400µS/cm (SIMIĆ, 2002), as well as here presented results 

(from 70 to 160µS/cm). Exceptions are data of ELORANTA and KWANDRANS (1996), and 

according them the L. fluviatilis is very tolerant in relation to electro conductivity (from 

150 to 3 056µS/cm). 

ROTT and colleagues (1999) characterized the species L. fluviatilis, in relation to 

phoshorus, as indicator of oligo-mesotrophic water (indicator height G-1). In relation to 

nitrogen, they gave data that the this species is good indicator of oligotrophic waters (G- 

4). 

The thali of this alga were found in community with Chamaesiphon polonicus, 

Homeaeothrix janthina, Hydrurus foetidus (Crnovrška River), than together with thali of 

species of genus Paralemanea (Golema River, Studenica), Vaucheria and Cladophora 

glomerata (Svrljiški Timok River), as well as in rich community of silicate algae (SIMIĆ, 

2002). 

On the thali of L. fluviatilis (on localities Vlasina River and Božička River), 

macroscopicaly visible colonies of epifitic algae in form of oliva green warts with 

diameter from 2 to 5 mm, were observed. By microscopical review, in common hard 

mucus, silicate algae of genera Navicula, Cymbella and Ceratoneis were found. In 

material collected on locality Vlasina, gelatinous oliva green colonies Nostoc sp. with 

diameter to 1cm were recorded. By review of algological material from fish pond 

“Lisine”, threads of Ulothrix zonata (Chlorophyta) and Vaucheria sp., as well as, algae of 

genera Diatoma and Gomphonema were observed in base of the thalus L. fluviatilis. 

At the one side, known stenovalence of this alga in relation to mentioned 

ecological factors, and at the other side, more and more increased endangerement of 

habitats where this alga lives by different antropogenic influences are the basic reasons 

why this alga is on some existing Red list of algae defined as vulnerable (V) (SIEMINSKA 

1992) or as EN (endangered) (HINDAK, 2001). 

New habitats of this species, which were mentioned in this study, as well as, 

habitats where it was formerly recorded in Serbia (SIMIĆ, 2002) are located mainly on 

areas of protected nature (Resava River – landscape of extraordinarly characteristics), so 

completelly expectation exists that these habitats will stay unendangered by further respect 

of measures for protection and decrease of antropogenic influences. 

However, in practice, without respect to some level of protection, some activities 

occure in protected areas, which can lead do endangerement of this species, but also of 

greater number of other important species that charaterized that protected natural property. 

Habitats of this species on Crnovrška River and Golema River on territory Stara planina 

(which is declared as Natural park in 1997), where at the first time genus Lemanea was 

recorded at territory of Serbia and Montenegro, are directly and indirectly endangered, 

because in immediate vicinity there are activities in formation sports-recreative center, 

which can lead to significant negative antropogenic influences. 

103

104 

CONCLUSION 

New data about morphology, ecology and biogeography of the L. fluviatilis 

presented in this study, together with already existing data show that this species, which is 

relatively very rare in the world, as well as in Serbia, stenovalent in relation to greater 

number of ecological factors (altitude, substrate, speed of water, aeration, temperature, pH, 

electro conductivity and water quality). It speaks about its vulnerability, need for knowing 

of its ecology and distribution, as well as necessity for protection of its habitats. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

This work was supported by the directorate for Environmental Protection of the Ministry 

of Science and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia (Project “Establishing 

Typology of Running Waters in Serbia” N 0 143023). 

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