Diversity of Silica-Scaled Chrysophytes in the Steppe Zone of the Southern Urals with a Description of a New Species from the Genus <i>Mallomonas</i>

This paper is devoted to the study of the flora of silica-scaled chrysophytes in water bodies of the steppe zone of the Southern Urals (Russia). Twenty-four taxa were identified via scanning and transmission electron microscopy, twenty of which are representatives of the genus Mallomonas Perty, while four are species of the genus Synura Ehrenberg. In the course of the study, a species new to science from the genus Mallomonas, M. baturinae sp. nov., was described. This species belongs to the section Papillosae. The stomatocyst of M. doignonii was described. For the first time in Russia and for the third time since description, M. phasma and M. solea-ferrea var. irregularis were reported in the studied area. Here, their extended description is provided with illustrations of their scales in detail. Some rare taxa for the flora of Russia have been identified: M. doignonii, M. pillula f. exannulata, and M. pillula f. valdiviana. One taxon of the genus Mallomonas has not been identified to a species level and is probably a taxon new to science

Structural and functional characteristics of algal flora in water bodies of the natural monuments in Orenburg forest steppe Trans Volga region (Russia)

The algal flora of 7 water bodies of Orenburg forest-steppe Trans Volga region protected areas was studied. 193 species and intraspecific taxa of algae belonging to 7 phyla, 12 classes, 30 orders, 57 families and 109 genera were identified. According to the results of a saprobiological analysis studied water bodies and streams are characterized as xeno-, oligo-, and β-mesosaprobic, grades 1-3 of quality, from extremely pure to satisfactory purity. In some water bodies (pond on the Zhmakovsky creek – natural monument «Kuzminka creek with tributaries^ and pond of the natural monument «Aksakov’s park»), disturbances in the stability of ecosystems and various stages of eutrophication were recorded. The data obtained indicate the need for strict compliance with the restrictions already provided for these natural monuments and the use of more effective protection measures to restore ecosystems and improve water quality within the studied objects

The first evidence about the algae flora of the reservoirs of the “Aschisayskaya Steppe” plot (State Nature Reserve “Orenburgsky”)

The first data about the algae flora of the water bodies of the “Aschisayskaya Steppe” plot of the State Nature Reserve “Orenburgsky” are presented. 217 species and intraspecies taxa of microalgae belonging to the phyla Chlorophyta, Euglenozoa, Bacillariophyta, Ochrophyta, Streptophyta, Miozoa and Cyanobacteria were found in five reservoirs of the plot. New species for the territory of the Orenburg Region, as well as rare species for Russia are noted, their characteristics and micrographs are given. The obtained data expands the current understanding of the range of the identified taxa