Journal of Environmental Biology

Trachelomonas (Euglenophyta) from a eutrophic reservoir in Central Mexico

Author Details

Gloria Garduno Sol?rzano

(Corresponding author)

Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM. Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala,

Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de M?xico, 54090

e-mail: ggs@servidor.unam.mx

Maria Guadalupe Oliva Martinez

Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM. Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala,

Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de M?xico, 54090

Alfonso Lugo Vazquez

Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM. Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala,

Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de M?xico, 54090

Maria Berenit Mendoza Garfias

Instituto de Biolog?a, UNAM, 3^er. Circuito escolar s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, Del. Coyoac?n, M?xico

D.F., 04510

Rafael Emiliano Quintanar Zuniga

Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM. Av. de los Barrios No. 1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala,

Tlalnepantla de Baz, Estado de M?xico, 54090

Visitacion Conforti

Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (UBA-CONICET), Dpto. de Biodiversidad y Biolog?a

Experimental Buenos Aires, Argentina

Publication Data

Paper received:

28 October 2009

Revised received:

25 June 2010

Accepted:

23 September 2010

Abstract

This study provides valuable information on the ultrastructure and?? environmental conditions of the Trachelomonas Ehr. (Euglenophyceae) genus in the Guadalupe Dam, a eutrophic reservoir located in the suburbs of Mexico City, which receives a considerable volume of wastewaters. Specimens were collected at surface level between November 2005 and May 2006. Using LM and SEM twelve taxa from phytoplankton were identified of which, 9 are new records for Mexico. The reservoir is warm monomictic, with basic pH values (7.4-10.1), a high concentration of chlorophyll a (18-101 ?g l-1), a permanent anoxic bottom, specific conductivity (K25) of 205 to 290 ?S cm-1, N-NO3?0.19-1.2 mg l-1 and P-PO4?0.22-1.6 mg l-1. Water temperature was 15.6-23.0oC. Most of the Trachelomonas species were found during the dry season, when concentrations of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus as well as the temperature were the highest. Higher species richness was also associated with the warmer months. This research contributes to increase our knowledge on Trachelomonas in Mexico and constitutes the first detailed description of lorica ultrastructure of 12 taxa that grow in a body of water with high concentration of nutrients and a moderate amount of mineral contents.

Key words

Lorica, Dam, Euglenoids, Phytoplankton, Ultrastructure

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