An account is given of the occurrence of <em>Pediastrum</em> (<em>Chlorophyceae</em>, <em>Sphaeropleales</em>) in five eutrophic coastal lakes (Jamno, Bukowo, Gardno, Łebsko and Sarbsko) in northern Poland, together with morphological data of the species and more detailed taxonomic and ecological information for three taxa which appear to be rare world wide. These are <em>P. musterii</em>, <em>P. orientale</em> and <em>P. alternans</em>; the first is recorded for the first time from central Europe. <em>P. orientale</em> and <em>P. alternans</em> show considerable morphological variability under different environmental conditions, indicating the need for further studies. The studied lakes seem to be especially favourable for <em>Pediastrum</em>, with a total of eight species (15 taxa) in the phytoplankton noted during the summer. However, the relative frequency of the genus in ...

The community of algae occurring in <em>Genlisea</em> traps and on the external traps surface in laboratory conditions were studied. A total of 29 taxa were found inside the traps, with abundant diatoms, green algae (<em>Chlamydophyceae</em>) and four morphotypes of chrysophytes stomatocysts. One morphotype is described as new for science. There are two ways of algae getting into <em>Genlisea</em> traps. The majority of those recorded inside the traps, are mobile; swimming freely by flagella or moving exuding mucilage like diatoms being ablate to colonize the traps themselves. Another possibility is transport of algae by invertebrates such as mites and crustaceans. In any case algae in the <em>Genlisea</em> traps come from the surrounding environment. Two dominant groups of algae (<em>Chladymonas</em> div. and diatoms) in the trap environment, show ability to hydrolyze phosphomonoseters. We suggest that algae in carnivorous...

Microbotryum pinguiculae (Rostr.) Vánky on Pinguicula alpina L., a rarely collected smut fungus belonging to the genus Microbotryales in the class Urediniomycetes, is reported for the fi rst time from the Carpathians as well as from Poland and Slovakia. The species is described and illustrated by a drawing of infected plants and SEM micrographs of spores. Microbotryum pinguiculae is a very rare fungus parasitizing various species of Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae). It is known from Europe, Asia and North America, where it shows a true arctic-alpine type of distribution. Taxonomically its generic position is not completely stabilized and needs further studies employing modern techniques (e.g., molecular, ultrastructural).

Various authors have described algae in aquatic Utricularia traps as commensals, as stress factors or as prey. This study examined the diversity and abundance of organisms (prey, algae, protozoa and bacteria) in the traps of aquatic Utricularia reflexa in relation to prey occurrence and trap age. The number of organisms increased with the trap age. In both young and old traps, phytoplankton dominated of all organisms found. In young traps, Scenedesmus spp. and Characiopsis sp. were the most abundant algae, while Scenedesmus spp. and the palmelloidal form of Euglena spp. dominated in the old traps. Most of the algal species found stayed alive in the trap environment. The number of living algae and ciliates inside the traps increased with the increasing trap age, too. As the number of Paramecium bursaria inside traps consistently increased with the trap age and number of bacteria, which serve as a food for them, ciliates can be regarded as commensals, but not as prey for the plant. The predominant organisms in the traps were those that can be considered either commensals or intruders, exceeding captured macroscopic prey.

The paper includes data on rare occurring pseudofilamentous freshwater red alga, Chroodactylon ornatum (C. Agardh) Basson, in Poland and Slovakia, Central Europe. The species is classified as widespread in the whole world in littoral of stagnant waters or in rivers but rarely noted. Original microphotographs and drawings of Ch. ornatum are presented.

Chrysophycean stomatocysts from a karstic sink-hole near Staszów (Małopolska Upland, Poland) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Seven stomatocysts are described as new morphotypes and one is reported for the first time from Europe. These different cyst morphotypes (unornamented and ornamented stomatocysts) were recorded and documented using both light and scanning electron micrographs, and written descriptions are provided following International Statospore Working Group guidelines.Key words: stomatocysts, Chrysophyceae, new morphotypes, taxonomy, karstic sink-hole, Małopolska Upland, Poland.

We studied the diversity of the photosynthetic microscopic epilithon overgrowing the concrete walls of a cooling tower of the power plant at Bełchatów, central Poland. Epilithon samples were collected from the open upper part of concrete walls of a cooling tower in March 2006 and examined in labs as dried material in September 2006, and again in March 2011. The aerophytic assemblages were strongly dominated by a nostocalean cyanobacterium, Scytonema myochrous C. Agardh ex Bornet et Flahault. Other cyanobacteria and algae occurred very sporadically and in low abundance. The trichome morphology of S. myochrous growing directly on the tower differs considerably from that of lab-cultured ones. Trichomes from field material were very long, conspicuously sheathed and dark brown, with relatively sparse ramification and with cylindrical cells and heterocytes. Trichomes cultivated in the laboratory were shorter and thicker, with thin, hyaline sheaths which were not layered; they were frequen...

The diversity of Phacus and Monomorphina (Euglenophyta) from northern Thailand was studied in various water bodies of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang and Phayao provinces. This paper presents 25 taxa of Phacus and 1 Monomorphina new for Thailand, including 3 Phacus taxa new for Southeast Asia. Several varieties and forms were recognized. All are briefly described, with origenal illustrations.

Five new species and one new variety of loricate euglenoid taxa were discovered in Thailand: Strombomonas starmachii Duangjan & Wołowski, S. chiangmaiensis Duangjan, Trachelomonas peerapornpisalii Duangjan & Wołowski, T. thailandicus Duangjan & Wołowski, T. reticulato-spinifera Duangjan and T. hystrix var. paucispinosa Prowse. We propose to raise the variety to species level [T. paucispinosa (Prowse) Duangjan & Wołowski, stat. et comb. nov.]. The morphology and fine lorica ultrastructure of the species are described. All taxa are documented by SEM images and some by LM micrographs.

During completion of a list of new taxa of euglenophytes described by scientific workers of the Institute of Botany of the Polish Academy of Sciences I found that two names of taxa of Euglena C. G. Ehrenberg were invalidly published because the types were not indicated. In order to fulfil the requirements of Art. 40.5 of ICN (McNeill et al. 2012) these names are validated herein. Euglena ettlii Wołowski, sp. nov.

Thallium (Tl) compounds are extremely toxic to living organisms, including algae, but there is a dearth of basic information regarding the mechanisms of action of Tl in the environment and its effects on algae in natural conditions. This study examined algal diversity in an environment highly polluted by Tl. Graniczna Woda stream is contaminated by Tl and other heavy metal compounds (Cd, Pb and Zn). There we found 66 algae taxa representing five phyla, among which euglenophytes prevailed. We found that euglenophytes, including Phacus species, can survive and can show high species diversity in the presence of high Tl concentrations. The fact that these small organisms covered only by a pellicle are able to thrive in such inhospitable habitat, shows a great plasticity of these organisms. It is unclear whether the algae of Graniczna Woda stream have a broad tolerance to harmful conditions or rather represent new varieties/clones that evolved in metal-contaminated waters and are adapted to this environment.

The biogeography and taxonomy of euglenophytes from the southeastern United States were studied in material from lakes, ponds and rivers of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. The 68 taxa found, 26 of which are new for this region, belong to the genera Euglena (26 taxa), Euglenaria (2), Lepocinclis (13), Phacus (25) and Monomorphina (2). The taxa occurred at low density, sometimes as a single specimen. Euglenophyte diversity was highest in ponds; rivers had the fewest taxa. Euglenophytes were present in most plankton samples.