New Records of Desmids from Blanket Bogs in Turkey

Peatlands are one of the globally important ecosystems. Blanket bogs are a type of peatlands where water is generally supplied by meteorological events (rain, snow). We have been conducting the first detailed algal flora study of blanket bogs of Turkey and found new records of algae genera ever given for Turkey. Here, we report a total of four desmids genera identified as new records for freshwater algal flora of Turkey: Spirotaenia (Spirotaenia condensata, Spirotaenia erythrocephala), Mesotaenium (Mesotaenium macrococcum), Hyalotheca (Hyalotheca dissiliens), and Bambusina (Bambusina borreri). Their ecological habitat is also discussed to highlight the importance of protection and sustainability of these unique areas.