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Species richness and diversity of diatoms inhabiting different niches (water column, sediment surface and submerged plants) as well ionic composition of water (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, SO42-, CO32-, HCO3-) were studied in the Velika Rusanda soda pan during two years (late spring 2017 and 2018). These analyses are part of the preliminary study of diatom communities in soda pans in Serbia. The analysis of ionic composition confirmed previous finding that water of Velika Rusanda belongs to Na–HCO3–SO4–Cl chemical type. In 2017, a total of 15 taxa were identified, 5 in plankton and 14 in epiphytic community. In plankton the most abundant were Craticula halophila (36.25%) and Anomoeoneis sphaerophora (27.25%), while among epiphytic dominates Surirella brebissonii var. kuetzingii (46.25%). In 2018, a total of 22 taxa were identified, 3 in plankton, 19 in epiphytic community, and 14 on artificial substrate (brick). In plankton we recorded only a few individuals. The most dominant taxon in epiphytic community was Nitzschia supralitorea (95%), which also prevailed on brick (66.98%). The only genus recorded in 2017 was Rhopalodia, while genera presented only in 2018 were: Cocconeis, Halamphora, Hantzschia, Humidophila and Planothidium. Of the total number of identified taxa three were newly recorded for Serbian diatom flora: Hantzschia weyprechtii Grunow, Navicymbulla pusilla (Grunow) Krammer and Nitzschia thermaloides Hustedt. The most of identified taxa are characteristic for marine or brackish waters, as well as different types of freshwaters with elevated to highly elevated electrolyte content. The results of this preliminary study will help better understanding of diatom communities in soda pans and their assessment for conservation and restoration measures in these ecosystems. 7th Balkan Botanical Congress, Book of abstracts, Novi Sad, Serbia, 10-14 September 2018

Great Lake is the largest of the 6 lakes situated in the eastern part of Lura Mountain in the Lurë National Park. Samples were collected in July 2005, June and August 2013 and August 2017. In 2005 and August 2013 epiphytic samples were collected from one locality, while in Jun 2013 was collected epilithic sample. However, in August 2017 no macrophytes were found which caused the collection of epilithic samples from 6 localities (LM1-LM6) around the lake with the aim of establishing ecological status. After laboratory analysis 52 taxa were identified in July 2005, 67 in June 2013 and 111 in August 2013. In August 2017 the number of identified taxa was higher, in total 126 taxa. Dominant taxa in July 2005 were Achnanthidium minutissimum (13.01%), Diatoma vulgaris (13.84%) and Meridion circulare (11.76%). A. minutissimum was also dominant in 2013 (22.26% in June and 21.48% in August). In 2017, dominant taxa differed among localities: LM1 Cyclotella cretica var. cyclopuncta (29.38%), LM2 and LM3 Encyonopsis microcephala (21% at both sites), LM4 Cyclotella cretica var. cyclopuncta (17.41%) and Encyonopsis krammeri (18.91%), LM5 and LM6 A. minutisimum (27.79% and 30.47%, respectively). The genera Diatoma, Epithemia, Fragilaria and Surirella were not recorded in 2017, contrary to previous years. The ecological status of the Great Lake was assessed by using diatom indices. Most European countries have established lake assessment systems based on diatoms. However, the Albanian National Monitoring System does not include biological parameters and therefore no officially accepted diatom index is in place. We compared the values of IPS (Indice de Polluo-sensibilité) and TDIL (Trophic Diatom Index for lakes) indices using boundary values given by the authors. Values of IPS index indicated very good water quality in all years at all sites, while the TDIL indicated moderate water quality in 2005 and 2013 and good water quality in 2017. The reason for this deviation probably is the low relative abundance of indicator species used to calculate TDIL index. The TDIL was developed 2007 in Hungary, and it includes significantly fewer indicator taxa than the IPS. More comprehensive ecological investigations of lakes in Albania are necessary to be able to fulfill the demands of the Water Framework Directive. 7th Balkan Botanical Congress, Book of abstracts, Novi Sad, Serbia, 10-14 September 2018

Epibiotic diatoms inhabiting the carapace of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis Linnaeus, 1758) are examined between May and July 2017 from three locations in Vojvodina (Serbia): Special nature reserve „Deliblatska Peščara“, Natural monument „Ivankovačka ada“ and Special nature reserve „Gornje podunavlje“. Our objective was to compare the diatom flora on a single turtle species across part of its range. Diatoms were removed by brushing from the carapaces, preserved in 4% formalin and identified under Carl Zeiss AxioImager.M1 microscope after preparing permanent slides with Naphrax medium. The diverse diatom assemblages were recorded. A total of 116 diatom taxa from 32 genera were found on the carapace of European pond turtle. The highest diversity in epibiotic diatom community was recorded at SNP „Deliblatska Peščara“ and NM „Ivankovačka ada“ (85 and 81 taxa, respectively). Only 6 diatom taxa (Nitzschia denticula, N. fonticola, Fragilaria ulna, Cymbella parva, C. perparva and Cyclotella sp.) were found on all three localities. Of these species, Cymbella perparva i Nitzschia denticula were occurred on the greatest number of turtles. In contrast, 67 diatom taxa occurred only on a single locality. Diatom richness and abundance were variable both among and within localities. The most numerous were erect (Cymbella spp., Gomphonema spp.) and motile (Nitzschia spp., Navicula spp.) forms. 7th Balkan Botanical Congress, Book of abstracts, Novi Sad, Serbia, 10-14 September 2018

The aim of this paper is to present the distribution of Decussata hexagona, a new species in diatom flora of Serbia. Seventy-two diatom samples were collected from six localities along the Vrla and Rasina Rivers during 2011 and 2012. Decussata hexagona was recorded with single specimens or low relative abundance (0.3%) from epilithic communities in seven samples from the Vrla River and in one sample from the Rasina River. It was recorded in unusual epilithic habitats of running neutral to low-alkaline waters with low ion content.