Kovtun O. Ecological, biological, morphological and taxonomic features of phytobenthos of the Tiligul Estuary

During the period of researches 167 species of diatom algae (181 specific and intraspecific taxons) were revealed from which 66 species were registered for the first time for the reservoir, 25 for the first time for estuaries of northwestern part of the Black Sea coast. 1 species and 1 variety were described as new for science: Fallacia gusliakovi Kovtun and Cocconeis scutellum var. tiligulicus Kovtun. Besides, 69 specific and intraspecific taxons of macrophytes and 10 species of aquatic plants were revealed, from which 42 are new for the Tiligul Estuary, 11 are new for northwest part of the Black Sea and 1 is new for Ukrainian coast of the Black Sea (Vaucheria geminata). For the first time biodiversity of algae of microphytobenthos of different biotopes and spatial and seasonal dynamics of their species composition were investigated. For the first time an algal community - mesophytopsammon - was investigated and described. Connection of specific structure with other ecological areas of algal dwellingwas revealed. Ecological state of the estuary was characterized on the basis of saprobiological analysis. Dependence of specific structure of various ecological groups from water salinity and рН was analyzed, their biogeographical characteristics were given. Influence of some biotic and abiotic factors on morphological features of diatoms was analyzed. The features that determine peculiarity of flora of the Tiligul Estuary in comparison with other limans of the north-western part of the Black Sea region were revealed.