A taxonomic study of the genus Strombomonas Defl. was carried out in three reaches of the stream Bom Jardim, Municipality of Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul State, expanding the knowledge of its richness and geographical distribution. Samples were collected monthly (2002-2006), with plankton net and preserved with formaldehyde. Simultaneously, water samples for measurement of physicochemical variables were collected. Twenty-six species of Strombomonas were identified; eight taxa have cosmopolitan distribution and the remainder are restricted to a maximum of three continents. The cluster analysis indicated that the greatest similarity occurred between the stream sections T2 and T3, equal to 82%, differently from T1 (upper reaches). This difference can be explained considering that in T1 the exclusive presence of the species S. brevicaudata,S. scabra var. labiata, and S. rotunda was verified. Strombomonas brevicaudata Conf. is registered for the first time in the State. Strombomonas eurystoma (Stein) f. incurva (Buz.) Pop., and S. recurvata Conf. & Joo are new records for Brazil.
Euglenophyta; shallow stream; Southern Brazil
