Kaszab Zoltán (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 67. (Budapest 1975)

P. Komáromy, Zs.: Algological investigations of Hungarian forest soils III. Soil algal surface communities in Mts. Mátra

ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus 67. Budapest 1975. Algological Investigations of Hungarian Forest Soils III. Soil Algal Surface Communities in Mts. Mátra by Zs. P.-KOMÁROMY, Budapest Abstract — Some samples from soil algal coats were collected in Mts. Mátra. 15 alga species were identified : 4 Cyanophyceae, 4 Chlorophyceae, 2 Xanthophyceae and 5 Diatomophyeeae. The species are briefly described here, and it is the first time that they are reported from the soil of Mts. Mátra. With 15 figures. In March, 1973 when I collected soil algal samples in the forests of Mts. Mátra, I found many algal coats on the soil surface (soil algal communities from the surface) in the environs of the villages Mátrafüred and Parádóhuta. These algae were on footpaths and on brook's banks, moistened by melting snow. I cut many samples from these algal coats, different sizes of 1 centimeter thickness. The soil samples were placed into sterile Petri dishes. From these samples 15 alga species were identified including 4 Cyanophyceae, 4 Chlorophyceae, 2 Xanthophyceae and 5 Diatomophyceae. The species briefly described below are reported for the first time from the soil of Mts. Mátra. CYANOPHYCEAE Phormidium autumnale (AG.) GOM. (Fig. 1) —- The colonies are blue-green, yellowish or lilac in colour. Trichomes are straight 5—6 jxm wide with humped and tapered end. The sheaths are hyaline and thin. The cells are quadrangular 3—6 pun long and 5—6 pirn wide with granules on the cross walls. The apical cell is headed with calyptra. Occurrence: on moist soil near the vülage Mátrafüred. Phormidium tenue (MENEGH.) GOM. (Fig. 2) — Trichomes are bent densely, entangled with light blue-green colour. The end of trichomes is straight. The cells are 1.5—2 jim wide and 2—3 pun long and slightly constricted at the septa. The end cells are attenuated. The sheaths are hyaline. The end cell is acute-conical. The centroplasma of the cells is well distinguishable. Occurrence: on soil surface near Mátrafüred and on Mt. Som (near Parádóhuta). Phormidium valderianum (DELP.) GOM. (Fig. 3) — Colonies are brownish-grey. Trichomes are 2—3 pim wide, bent densely entangled. The sheath of the young filaments is thin and hyaline. The mature sheaths are thick with dark brownish colour. There are many mature sheaths without filaments. Trichomes are 2 urn wide with blue-green colour. The cells are 2—5 [im long with 1—2 granules on the cross walls. The apical cell is broadly rounded without calyptra. Occurrence : on moist soil near Mátrafüred. Tolypothrix tenuis KÜTZ. (Fig. 4) — The plant mass is bright blue-green in colour. The trichomes are 6—6.5 pim wide. The filaments are 5—5.5 pun in width. The cells are essentially quadrate and not constricted at the septa. The false branches occur singly at a heterocyst, the latter is spherical or quadrate, 6—8 pom in diameter. Occurrence: on footpath on Mt. Som. Ann. Hist.-nat. Mus. Nat. Hung., 67, 1975