Charophytes from four Cyclade Islands (Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Antiparos) in Greece

BY : A. LANGANGEN

I have shortly described eleven localities from the Cyclade islands Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Antiparos, one of which has freshwater, two have brackish water and the rest are salt lakes. Of special interest are the salt lakes. These lakes are situated close to popular beaches and are therefore exposed to human activities. The lakes at Ag. Prokopios, Kamari, Mikra Vigli, Naxos airport and Fanari beach should be protected. The brackish water lake near the airport at Naxos has special qualities and should also be protected. The charophytes Lamprothamnium papulosum, Chara canescens, C. galioides and C. aspera were found in this lake. Typical species in the salt lakes are Lamprothamnium papulosum and Ruppia maritima. The salt content in these lakes varied between 1.3% (2003) and 20% (2002). In such environments, L. papulosum can only survive by oospores and/or bulbils. In Kamari, I found specimens of L. papulosum with swollen lower branchlets. In the brackish water poll at Ormos Amiti I found Chara vulgaris, while Chara globularis was found in freshwater on Mykonos. Totally six species of charophytes have so far been found in the islands.