New Records for the Algal Flora of Türkiye from Blanket Bogs of the Eastern Black Sea Region

Blanket bogs are ombrotrophic peatlands where water is mainly supplied by precipitation. This study reports new algal records from blanket bogs in Türkiye, contributing to the knowledge of Türkiye’s freshwater algal flora. Algal samples were collected from five different blanket bogs located in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye. Samples were obtained on a monthly basis during selected months, May, July, and September in 2021, May and September in 2022, and July in 2023. A total of 50 taxa belonging to 19 genera were identified: Scytonema (1), Cavinula (1), Kobayasiella (1), Netrium (4), Closterium (3), Actinotaenium (5), Cosmarium (3), Euastrum (3), Micrasterias (2), Spondylosium (1), Staurastrum (15), Staurodesmus (2), Tetmemorus (2), Microspora (1), Characium (1), Desmodesmus (1), Trachelomonas (2), Calycimonas (1), and Opisthoaulax (1). Calycimonas and Opisthoaulax are reported as new genera for the freshwater algal flora of Türkiye. The identified taxa were predominantly observed in acidic, oligotrophic and low-conductivity waters, thereby indicating the distinctive ecological characteristics and conservation value of alpine blanket peat bogs.