Cyanophyceae from Galician salt-marshes (NW Spain)

This paper deals with the Cyanophyta/Cyanobacteria present in four saltmarsh systems located in the NW of Spain. Sixty cyanophycean taxa are recorded and their morphology, ecology and seasonal and spatial distribution are reported. An identification key for the species is also included in the present work. In the studied salt-marshes Oscillatoriales is the best represented order, with 28 species (47%), compared to Chroococcales with 15 species (25%) and Nostocales with 17 species (28%). Many species have a biogeographical interest and the following taxa have been new records in the investigated area: Aphanocapsa caqfirta, Gomphosphaeria salina, Gloeocapsa deusta, Gloeocapsa granosa, Aphanothece Stagnina, Gloeothece palea, Xenococcus pyriformis. Phormidium papyraceum, Spirulina labyrinthiformis, Symploca funicularis, Hassalia bouteillei, Tolypothrix tenuis, Nodularia spumigena and Rivularia nitida.