Article

We studied algal assemblages from the Nahal Qishon, northern Israel, to assess the biodiversity of an aquatic ecosystem under strong anthropogenic impact. In 59 samples of periphyton and phytoplankton collected during 2002-2003, we found 154 species from seven algal divisions. About 17% of the species (26) are new for the algoflora of continental Israel and five of them represent the first record for a genus: Crinalium endophyticum Crow (Cyanoprokaryota), Actinocyclus normanii (Gregory) Hustedt (Bacillariophyta), Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum (Agardh) Kütz. (Chlorophyta), Lagynion janei Bourelly, and Stylococcus aureus Chodat (Chrysophyta). Most species new for Israel came from the estuarine assemblage. They are widespread outside Israel, except Lagynion janei (Chrysophyta), endemic in the Mediterranean realm.