Occurrence and distribution of zoosporic organisms in water bodies from Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

Zoosporic organisms are commonly found in different aquatic ecosystems; however little is known about the influence of environmental factors and seasonal fluctuations on their occurrence and distribution. This study investigated patterns of abundance, frequency and diversity of these organisms and their relationship with some abiotic factors and seasonality in a cerrado remnant in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Water samples were collected at four dates in two areas of this remnant during the rainy and dry seasons, and 13 abiotic factors were analyzed. From 48 samples collected, 32 taxa were isolated with the multiple baiting technique. The community structure of the zoosporic organisms showed some changes in response to different spatial distribution and seasonal fluctuations, probably influenced by distinct abiotic characteristics of each area or climatic period. Still, the similarity between areas and seasons indicated by Sørensen index and diversity (richness, evenness, Shannon and Simpson indices) were high.

• abiotic factors
• aquatic environments
• Brazilian Cerrado
• Chytridiomycota
• Oomycota

The authors thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for support and grants and Fundação Nacional de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP Process 08/53146-4) for financial support.