The charophytes (Characeae, Charophyceae) from the Yenisey Siberia (Russia)

Abstract

The records of new localities of charophytes from the Yenisey Siberia and confirmations for the ones known before were summarized as a result of study both available herbarium collections and field studies during 2007–2021. The twenty species, including one novel genus and five novel species records, 59 new localities (67 % of its total number), 127 new populations (83 % of its total number) were found in this region. In particular, 12 species (incl. 3 novel ones for the region) are known from the Republic of Khakassia, 17 (7) – from the Krasnoyarsk Territory, 12 (7) – from the Tuva Republic. The genus Chara is the most species-rich and frequent in the area of study. The taxonomic rank of C. arcuatifolia sensu Hollerb. et Krassavina is discussed. It seems to be a morphotype of C. globularis having clearly arcuate branchlets. Nitella tenuissima is a novel species record for Asian Russia. The charophyte northernmost locality on the continent was revealed. It belongs to C. virgata collected at Southern Taymyr. The novel locality of circumpolar species Tolypella canadensis, far distant from ones known before from Komi Republic and Republic of Yakutia, was found in this region too. The species occurrence in different ecoregions was estimated. The contemporary presence of some species after long intervals between observations from their first records was confirmed. The persistence of the same species in the same water bodies after a long period was revealed as evidence of stability of their populations, important for species protection. The loss of charophyte localities as a result of construction of large Krasnoyarskoe and Sayano-Shushenskoe water reservoirs is remarkable. The red lists for the regions studied were compiled and some species were suggested for protection. The important charophyte areas enabling protection of some species were revealed.