Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 June 2022 | 14(6): 21246–21265
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7487.14.6.21246-21265
#7487 | Received 02 June 2021 | Final
received 02 February 2022 | Finally accepted 20 May 2022
The study of algal diversity from
fresh water bodies of Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India
Joel Jose 1 & Jobi
Xavier 2
1,2 Department of Life Sciences,
CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Dharmaram College P.O, Hosur Road, Bengaluru,
Karnataka 560029, India.
1 joeljose701@gmail.com, 2 frjobi.xavier@christuniversity.in
(corresponding author)
Editor: Anonymity
requested. Date of publication:
26 June 2022 (online & print)
Citation: Jose, J. & J. Xavier (2022). The study of algal diversity from
fresh water bodies of Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 14(6): 21246–21265. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7487.14.6.21246-21265
Copyright: © Jose & Xavier 2022. Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International License. JoTT allows
unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium
by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: None.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing
interests.
Author details: Joel
Jose (JJ) has completed post-graduation in Botany from CHRIST (Deemed to
be University), Bengaluru. He is currently a research scholar in the Department
of Life Sciences at CHRIST (Deemed to be University). He is passionate about
the algae taxonomy, stress physiology, plant taxonomy, and environmental
studies. Jobi
Xavier (JX) has completed post-graduation and doctoral degree in botany.
He is working as Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at
CHRIST (Deemed to be University). His area of interest is phytochemistry, plant
taxonomy, plant ecology, and plant physiology. He has authored a book on Trees
of CHRIST University.
Author contributions: JJ did the experimental design,
field data collection and the data analysis. JX has supervised the work and
preparation of final manuscript.
Acknowledgements: We greatly thank the Kerala
Forest Department and other forest officials for the permission for fieldwork
in Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary. We also thank for the co-operation and support
by management and staff of the CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore.
Abstract: The algal diversity of the
freshwater ecosystem is very significant because they are the primary energy
producers in the food web. The study for the algal diversity was conducted at
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, Thrissur, Kerala, India, from selected sampling
sites (Pookoyil thodu, Kidakkapara thodu, Viraku thodu, Nellipara thodu,
Anaporu thodu, Kodakallu thodu, Odan thodu, Mullapara thodu, Payampara thodu,
Chimmony dam). The identified algal species belong to four different classes:
Chlorophyceae, Euglenineae, Rhodophyceae, and Cyanophyceae. Sixty-one algal
species were identified, represented by 37 genera, 22 families, and 14 orders.
Among the four, Chlorophyceae was the dominant class.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Chlorophyceae,
conservation, Cyanophyceae, Euglenineae, freshwater, Rhodophyceae, taxonomy,
Thrissur.
Introduction
Algae are the most abundant
aquatic organisms present in the freshwater ecosystem. Algae were responsible
for the beginning of multicellular life on our planet and could be the key to
our future survival. They are an essential source for producing fine chemicals,
natural pigments, vitamins, polysaccharides, bioflocculants, and growth
promoters. Algae are also a significant producers of oxygen than plants (Rai et
al. 2000).
The freshwater ecosystems are
mainly categorized into two types: lotic and lentic. The rivers, streams,
waterfalls, canals fall into the lotic type, and the stagnant waters like
pools, lakes, reservoirs and paddy fields fall into the lentic type. The
freshwater algal diversity varies from unicellular phytoplankton to colonial
and much larger multicellular algae. The algal biodiversity depends upon the
physicochemical parameters of the water bodies. In the food chain of aquatic
ecosystems, algae are the primary producers, making them very important. So the
conservation and knowledge about algal biodiversity are necessary for
maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
The information regarding species
diversity is an essential component to realize life in its fullness and
conserve it for future generations (Pandey 1995). Therefore, there is a strong
demand for research on biodiversity in developing countries (Briji 2005; Tessy
& Sreekumar 2017). Generally, the taxonomy is considered an outdated
science that cannot keep up with the present biodiversity crisis (De Clerck et
al. 2013). But for the future development in biodiversity research, systematics
and taxonomy are important (Koen & Segers 2005).
The study of biodiversity as the
present one opens new opportunities to understand the different algal forms in
their respective natural habitat. The large algal species in the freshwater
ecosystem depict its diversity. In the current scenario, hardly a few genera
are used in the industry, giving a broad scope for other potential obtainable
algae. Even though plenty of literature is available on fresh water algal
diversity of Kerala, there is no published record available on the algal
diversity of Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence the study.
Materials
and Methods
Study area
The study was conducted in
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS; Figure 1), which is situated in the Thrissur
District of Kerala state. It belongs to Mukundapuram taluk and within
geographical limits of 10.40° & 10.48° E and 76.41° & 76.56° N. CWS has
an area extent of 85.067 km2 and water spread area of 10.1 km2.
The sanctuary consists of more than 250 streams, which drains into the Chimmony
Reservoir (George 2012; Velayudhan et al. 2021). In this study, 10 different
streams were selected to study the algal flora (Table 1).
Sampling
The algal samples were collected
from 10 different stations using forceps, scalpel, and blade. The collections
were made from the surface level, the underside of rocks, mucilage masses
attached to dripping rocks, and tree trunks. 4% formalin solution was used for
preservation. The collected specimens were observed under a microscope by
preparing wet mounts within 48 hours. The algal specimens were identified using
standard literature, monographs and research papers (Ralfs 1848; Turner 1892;
Desikachary 1959; Randhawa 1959; Prescott 1961; Pal & Kundu 1962; Ramanathan
1964; Philipose 1967; Hindak 1977; Hirose et al. 1977; Hindak 1984; West &
West 1904; Kouwets & Coesel 1984; Prasad & Misra 1992; Wolowski 1998;
Wotowski & Hindak 2005).
Results
In the study conducted in CWS, 61
algal species were recorded, which belongs to four different classes
(Chlorophyceae, Euglenineae, Rhodophyceae, and Cyanophyceae). These species are
represented by 37 genera, 22 families, and 14 orders (Table 2). The class
Chlorophyceae represents 33 taxa under 22 genera, the class Euglenineae
represents seven taxa under four genera, the class Rhodophyceae represents one
taxa under one genera, and the class Cyanophyceae represents 20 taxa under 10
genera.
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Volvocales
Family: Chlamydomonadaceae
Genus: Chlamydomonas Ehrenberg
Chlamydomonas globosa Snow (Image 1)
Prescott, 1961, p.71, pl.1, figs.
8,9
The cells are globose, enclosed
in a hyaline, gelatinous sheath. The cell is 3–5 μm in diameter and 5–10 μm
long. The cell consists of a parietal cup-shaped chloroplast with basal
pyrenoid and a contractile vacuole at the anterior end. The cell is covered
with a smooth membrane and two flagella at the anterior end. The pigment spot
is small and inconspicuous.
Family: Volvocaceae
Genus: Gonium Mueller
Gonium pectorale Mueller (Image 2)
Prescott, 1961, p. 75, pl.1, fig.
22
The colony consists of 16
ellipsoid to subspherical cells arranged in a flat quadrangular plate. This
quadrangular plate consists of four inner cells covered by 12 marginal cells.
The anterior ends of marginal cells were projecting outwards. Each cell is
enclosed in an individual sheath and the cells are 5–20 μm in diameter.
Order: Tetrasporales
Family: Tetrasporaceae
Genus: Tetraspora Link
Tetraspora gelatinosa (Vauch.) Desvaux (Image 3)
Prescott, 1961, p. 88, pl.5,
figs. 3,4
The thallus is a macroscopic
attached floating cylindrical sac where each cell are irregularly arranged. The
thallus is globular and bullate, in which spherical cells are arranged in a
tetrad manner. The thallus is covered in a thick mucilaginous sheath, and the
cells are 6–10 μm in diameter.
Order: Chlorococcales
Family: Chlorococcaceae
Genus: Chlorococcum Fries
Chlorococcum humicola (Naeg.)
Rabenhorst (Image 4,5)
Prescott, 1961, p. 212, pl.45,
fig. 1
The colony is unicellular,
non-motile, with spherical cells in various small clumps. Each cells consist of
a completely filled spherical chloroplast with a single pyrenoid. The cell is
7–10 μm in diameter.
Family: Selenastraceae
Genus: Monoraphidium Komarkova
- Legnerova
Monoraphidium griffithii (Berkeley)
Komarekova - Legnerova (Image 6)
Hindak, 1984, p. 219, pl. 79,
figs. 5,8
The cell is straight and
fusiform, having a tapering from the centre towards the pointed ends. The cell
is 45–50 μm long and 2–3 μm broad.
Monoraphidium indicum Hindak (Image 7)
Hindak, 1977, p.105, pl.44
The cells are very thin and are accurately
curved. The cell has a tapering towards the end and it is pointed. The cell is
40–45 μm long and 1.5–2 μm broad.
Family: Scenedesmaceae
Genus: Scenedesmus Meyen
Scenedesmus quadricauda var. maximus
West & West (Image 8)
M. T Philipose, 1967, p. 283, fig. 187 g
The colonies are usually
four-celled with much larger cells. The cell is 25–30 μm long and 10–11 μm in
diameter. The spines are 25–35 μm long.
Order: Ulotrichales
Family: Ulothrichaceae
Genus: Ulothrix Kuetzing
Ulothrix aequalis Kuetzing (Image 9)
K.R Ramanathan, 1964, p.36, pl.9
I-L
The thallus is non-branching,
filamentous with cylindrical cells. The cells are 12–14 μm broad and 24–28 μm
long. The cells consist of a striated cell wall, girdle shaped broad
chloroplast covering half of the wall surface with one or more pyrenoids.
Order: Cladophorales
Family: Cladophoraceae
Genus: Pithophora Wittrock
Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock (Image 10, 11; Image 12, 13)
Prescott, 1961, p.140, pl.22,
figs. 7–10
The filaments are slender 50–60
μm in diameter with solitary branching. Each cell are cylindrical and long. The
akinetes are cylindrical and slightly swollen and acuminate at the terminal.
Akinetes are 55–140 μm in diameter and 90–350μm long.
Order: Chaetophorales
Family: Trentepohliaceae
Genus: Trentepohlia Martius
Trentepohlia aurea (L.) Martius (Image 14,15,16)
Prescott, 1961, p.133, pl.67,
figs. 6–9
The cells are rusty-brown in
colour sometimes the thallus shows yellow colour in shaded regions. The cells
are slightly swollen but slightly reduced in diameter towards apices. The cell
has a smooth wall, and it is 4–10 μm in diameter. The sporangia are generally
terminal on curved cells with 15–20 μm in diameter. The gametangia are not
frequently observed, and they will be the same size as the sporangia.
Order: Oedogoniales
Family: Oedogoniaceae
Genus: Oedogonium Link
Oedogonium areschougii Wittrock (Image 17)
Prescott, 1961, p. 204
The filament is nannandrous &
gynandrosporous. The filaments are cylindrical in shape with a 10–12 μm
diameter and 35–28 μm long. The oogonia is pyriform globose shaped and
operculate with 30-35μm diameter and 36–40 μm long. The smooth-walled oospore
is not completely filled inside the oogonia. The diameter of the oospore is
23–25 μm. The dwarf males are unicellular attached near or on the oogonia with
6–7 μm diameter and 13–15 μm long.
Oedogonium croasdaleae Jao (Image 18, 19)
Prescott, 1961, p.204, pl.41,
fig. 11
The filament is nannandrous and
gynandrosporous. The vegetative cells are cylindrical 25–30 μm in diameter and
150–200 μm long. The oogonia are two in a series, 60–70 μm in diameter and
80–113 μm long. The dwarf males are 9–17 μm in diameter and 48–55 μm long.
Order: Zygnematales
Family: Zygnemataceae
Genus: Mougeotia C.A.
Agardh
Mougeotia scalaris Hassall (Image 20)
Prescott, 1961, p. 304, pl.71,
figs. 6,7
The filaments are 14–20 μm in
diameter and 34–182 μm long. The chloroplast consists of 4–6 pyrenoids. The
zygospores are globose to ovate with smooth walls and formed in the tube due to
scalariform conjugation. The zygospore measures up to 30–35 μm in length and
26–30 μm in diameter.
Genus: Zygnema Agardh
Zygnema carinatum Taft (Image 21)
Randhawa 1959, p.225, fig. 160
The filaments are greenish and
unbranched. The cells are rectangular to square in shape. Presence of two
star-shaped chloroplasts. The cell is 11–15 μm long and 10 μm broad. The
scalariform conjugation results in the formation of globose shaped zygospore in
the tube. The globose zygospore is
formed at the right angle of the tube, and it measures 13–16 μm in length and
15–20 μm in breadth.
Genus: Spirogyra Link
Spirogyra acanthophora (Skuja) Czurda (Image 22)
Randhawa, 1959, p.376, fig. 413
The filaments are 300–328 μm long
and 60–65 μm wide. The zygospores are 37–42 μm in diameter and 50–62 μm in
length.
Spirogyra condensata (Vauch.) Kuetzing (Image 3: 23)
Prescott, 1961, p. 312, pl.72,
figs. 5,6
The filaments are 111–153 μm long
and 40–53 μm wide. Smooth walled zygospores were formed due to conjugation, and
it measures up to 35–37 μm in diameter and 52–60 μm in length.
Spirogyra decimina (Mueller) Kuetzing (Image 24, 25)
Prescott, 1961, p. 313
The filaments are 130–133 μm long
and 20–24 μm wide. Presence of two chloroplasts. The zygospores are cylindrical
to ovate with a smooth wall that measures up to 32–38 μm in diameter to 30–35
μm in length.
Spirogyra fuellebornei Schmidle (Image 26)
Randhawa. 1959. P. 316, fig. 291
The filaments are long and
cylindrical having 238–376 μm long and 26–31 μm broad. Presence of two
chloroplast, having 3–4 turns in a cell. The zygospores are 30–39 μm in
diameter and 58–65 μm in length.
Spirogyra micropunctata Transeau (Image 27)
Prescott, 1961, p. 317, pl.73,
fig. 9
The filaments are 243–300 μm long
and 29–35 μm wide. The scalariform conjugation produces an ellipsoidal
zygospore, which measures up to 35–40 μm in diameter and 60–72 μm long.
Spirogyra novaeangliae Transeau (Image 28)
Prescott, 1961, p. 318, pl.75,
figs. 1-3
The filaments are 200–230 μm long
and 58μm wide. The zygospore is ovate to ellipsoidal. The zygospore exhibits a
brown colour which measures up to 50–60 μm in diameter and 85–90 μm in length.
Spirogyra rhizobrachialis Jao (Image 3: 29)
Prescott, 1961, p. 320, pl.76,
figs. 1, 2
The filaments are 43–50 μm in
diameter and 120–211 μm long. Presence of two crenate and deeply toothed
chloroplast. The fertile cylindrical cells form zygospores through conjugation.
The zygospore is ellipsoidal brown, which measures up to 40–50 μm in diameter
and 111 μm in length.
Family: Mesotaeniaceae
Genus: Cylindrocystis De
Bary
Cylindrocystis brebissonii (Ralfs) De
Bary (Image 30, 31)
W. West & G.S. West, 1904,
pl. 4, figs. 23–32, pl.5, fig. 10
The cells are cylindrical with
round apices. The chloroplast consists of a few large radiating prolongations.
The cell body is 35–40 μm long and 22–28 μm in broad.
Genus: Netrium (Nageli)
Itzigsohn & Rothe in Rabenhorst
Netrium digitus (Ehrbg.) Itzigs. &
Rothe (Image 32)
W. West & G. S. West, 1904,
pl. 6, fig. 14–16
The cell is generally large and
elliptic to oblong in shape. The cell is gradually attenuated from the centre
towards the apices, which is rounded and truncated. The chloroplast is axile
with deeply notched free margins. The cell body is 150–160 μm long and 40–45 μm
in diameter.
Family: Desmediaceae
Genus: Actinotaenium (Nageli)
Teiling
Actinotaenium silvae-nigrae (Rabanus)
Kouwets & Coesel (Image 33)
Kouwets & Coesel, 1984, p.
555–562, fig. 23
The cell is cylindrical with
broadly rounded ends with a smooth cell wall. The cell is 60–65 μm long and
20–25 μm wide.
Genus: Closterium Nitzsch
ex Ralfs
Closterium ehrenbergii Meneghinii var.
Ehrenbergii (Image 34)
Hirose, H, et al., 1977
The cell body is large and bulged
at the centre with a smooth cell wall. The chloroplasts consist of 4–7 laminae
with many scattered pyrenoids. The cell body is 250–890 μm long and 50–165 μm
wide.
Closterium moniliferum Ehrenberg ex
Ralfs (Image 35)
Prasad & Misra, 1992, p. 113,
pl. 12, fig. 4.
The cell is curved with rounded
apices. The chloroplast consists of 7–10 pyrenoids arranged in a median series.
The cell is 140–155 μm long and 7–20 μm broad.
Closterium tumidulum Gay (Image 36)
Turner, 1892, p.19, pl.1, fig. 20
The cell is small and curved with
an acute tip. The cell is 90–100 μm long and 10–15 μm broad.
Genus: Cosmarium Ralfs
Cosmarium botrytis Meneg (Image 37)
Ralfs, 1848, p.99, pl. 16, fig. 1
The cell has denticulate margins
with a deeply constricted linear notch at the centre. The cell is 54.1–77.6 μm
long and 40.6–60.6 μm broad.
Cosmarium subtumidum Nordst (Image 38)
Prescott, 1961, p. 70, pl. 29,
figs. 12, 13
The cell body is 30–43 μm long,
14–19 μm wide and isthmus is 12–14 μm.
Genus: Micrasterias C.
Agardh
Micrasterias radians Turn var.
bogoriensis (Breb) G.S. West (Image 39)
Prescott, 1961, p.51, pl.23,
figs. 2, 3
The cell body is 121–206 μm long,
126–170 μm wide and the isthmus is 14–17 μm wide
Genus: Pleurotaenium Nageli
Pleurotaenium trabecula (Ehrbg) Nag (Image 40)
Prescott, 1961, p. 18, pl. 3,
fig. 4
The cylindrical cell body is
400–434 μm long and 30–40 μm in diameter. The cell is constricted at the
centre, with a slight bulge at the base semi cell. The chloroplast is elongated
with 3–4 laminae.
Genus: Staurastrum (Meyen)
Ralphs
Staurastrum zonatum Borges var.
majus Presc. (Image 41)
Prescott, 1961, p.119, pl. 46,
fig. 8
The semi cells consist of five
long dentate ends with rings of granules and the apex biundulate with some tiny
teeth. The cell body is 40–70 μm long, 81–90 μm wide and the isthmus is 13–16
μm.
Order: Charales
Family: Characeae
Genus: Nitella C. Agardh
Nitella furcata (Roxburgh apud
Bruzelius) Agardh (Image 42–45)
B.P. Pal et al., 1962, p.62,
figs. 76-79
The plant is monoecious. The stem
is 600–1,000 μm thick and antheridia is terminal, which is 200–250 μm in
diameter. The oogonia are 1–2, together, which are 230–240 μm long and 210–310
μm in diameter. Spiral cells showing 7–8 convolutions and the coronula are
70–100 μm high and 70 μm at the base.
Class: Euglenineae
Order: Euglenales
Family: Astasiaceae
Genus: Euglena Ehrenberg
Euglena elastica Prescott (Image 46)
Prescott, 1962, p. 392, pl.86,
figs. 10–12
The cells have the potential to
change shape regularly, when in motion. Usually the cells are spindle-shaped
but often swollen in the mid-region and slightly tapered to the apices. The
cell consists of many irregularly ovoid-shaped chloroplasts. The cell is 10–11
μm in diameter and 80–90 μm long.
Euglena minuta Prescott (Image 47)
Prescott, 1962, p. 393, pl.85,
figs. 23, 25
The cells are highly active,
which are fusiform to pyriform in shape. The smooth membraned cell consists of
one plate-like chloroplast with a pyrenoid. The cell is 14–16 μm long and 2–6
μm broad.
Genus: Phacus Dujardin
Phacus curvicauda Swirenko (Image 48)
Prescott, 1962, p.399, pl.87,
fig. 14, pl.88, fig.21
The cells are ovoid and slightly
spiral, which causes the caudus to curve slightly to the left. The cell
consists of numerous ovoid chloroplasts. The cell is 40–48 μm in diameter and
48–60 μm long.
Phacus obolus Pochmann (Image 49)
Wolowski, 1998, p.78, figs.
270–272
The cells are broadly oval and
slightly narrower at the anterior end with straight, conical cauda at the
posterior end. The cell consists of numerous ovoid-globular chloroplasts. Cells
are 34–42 μm long and 22–35 μm broad
Phacus orbicularis var. caudatus Skzortzow (Image 50)
Prescott, 1962, p.401, pl.87,
fig. 12, pl.88, fig.15
Cells are ovoid with a long,
straight , sharply pointed caudus. 1–2 paramylon bodies are present. Cells are
38–41 μm in diameter and 50–70 μm long.
Genus: Lepocinclis Perty
Lepocinclis acus (Muller) Marin &
Melkonian (Image 51)
Wotowski & Hindak, 2005, p.
28, figs. 5–8
The cells are long, elongate, thin and spindle-shaped, gradually tapering to
apices which forms a sharp tail. Numerous disc-shaped chloroplasts are present,
and two paramylon bodies are present. The cells are 10–12 μm diameter and 150
μm long.
Genus: Trachelomonas Ehrenberg
Trachelomonas hispida var. papillata
Skvortzow (Image 52)
Prescott, 1962, p. 414, pl. 84,
fig. 7
The cell is 25–30 μm in diameter
and 35–40 μm long. The wall is brown smooth except for a few minute spines near
the flagellum aperture.
Class: Rhodophyceae
Order: Batrachospermales
Family: Batrachospermaceae
Genus: Batrachospermum Roth
Sheathia boryana (Sirodot) Salomaki
& M.L.Vis (Image 53; Image 54)
Prescott, 1962, p.567, pl. 136,
fig. 4; Sheath & Hymes, 1980, p.1306, figs. 31–36; John & Francis,
2013, p. 237.
The plant is 5–9 cm high and has
a highly mucilaginous thallus, which is brown to green. The central axes are
90–105 μm wide, and glomeruli are ellipsoidal to globular. The lateral branches
have short internodes. The carpogonia are 4–5 μm wide at the basal portion and
25–30 μm long. The trichogyne are elongate, club-shaped and embrace the
carpogonia. The carposporophyte is globular and scattered close to the
periphery. The carposporophyte measures 14–150 μm in diameter.
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Chroococcales
Family: Chroococcaceae
Genus: Aphanocapsa Nag
Aphanocapsa pulchra (Kutz) Rabenh (Image 55)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.132,
pl. 21, fig. 2
The thallus is gelatinous and
blue-green. The cells are spherical, loosely arranged in single or sometimes
doubles with individual sheaths. The cells are 6–7 μm in diameter.
Genus: Microcystis Kutzing
Microcystis aeruginosa Kutz. (Image 56)
T.V Desikachary, 1959, p. 93, pl.
17, fig. 1, 2, 6
The colonies are free-floating
and attaining a macroscopic size with a mucilaginous envelope. The cells in the
colony are spherical with distinct hyaline colonial mucilage. The colonies are
light brown and round with 5–7 µm in diameter. Gas vacuoles are present.
Order: Nostocales
Family: Microchaetaceae
Genus: Microchaete Thuret
Microchaete uberrima Carter, N (Image 57, 58)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.511,
pl. 104, figs. 5-7, 10, 13, 16, 18
The trichomes were long up to 4
mm, with cylindrical cells having a firm sheath. The filaments were 10–15 μm
broad with intercalary heterocyst.
Family: Oscillatoriaceae
Genus: Oscillatoria Vaucher
Oscillatoria limosa Agardh ex Gomont (Image 59)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.206,
pl. 42, fig.11
The thallus is blue-green with a
straight trichome that is slightly constricted. The trichomes are 12–13 μm
broad and 2–4 μm long.
Oscillatoria subbrevis Schmidle (Image 60, 61)
T. V. Desikachary, 1959, p.207,
pl. 37, fig. 2, pl. 40, fig. 1
The trichomes are single,
straight and not attenuated with round cell, calyptra absent. The trichome is
5–6 μm broad, and the cells are 3–4 μm long. The trichomes are blue-green, and
they exhibit an oscillating movement at the apex.
Oscillatoria vizagapattensis Rao, C.B. (Image 62)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.205,
pl. 39, figs. 16, 18.
The cells are much shorter than
the broad and form a broadly rounded cap with a slightly thickened outer wall.
The trichome is blue-green in colour and 8–10 μm broad.
Genus: Phormidium Kutz.
Phormidium abronema Skuja (Image 64)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.257.
The thallus is blackish-green to
light bluish. The trichomes consist of the hyaline mucilaginous sheath. The
cells are cylindrical or barrel-shaped. The trichome is 3–4 μm broad and 16–17 μm
long.
Phormidium hansgirgi Schmidle (Image 63; Image 65)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.272,
pl. 43, fig. 20
The filaments are straight with a
very thin mucilaginous sheath. The trichomes are cylindrical and not capitate.
The hormogones are short. The trichomes are 12–14 μm broad and 2–3 μm long.
Phormidium microtomum Skuja (Image 66)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.257,
pl. 43, fig. 16, 17
The trichomes are greyish-brown,
straight with a thin colourless sheath. The ends of trichomes are attenuated,
and cells are well constricted at the cross wall. The trichome is 6–8 μm broad
with apical rounded hyaline calyptra.
Phormidium molle (Kutz.) Gomont (Image 67)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.255,
pl. 59, fig. 8
The trichomes are thin, straight,
constricted at cross walls and not attenuated at the ends. The cells are
quadrate or barrel-shaped with rounded ends and calyptra absent. The trichome
is 2–3 μm broad and 8–7 μm long.
Phormidium retzii (Ag.) Gomont (Image 68)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.268,
pl. 44, figs. 13-15
The filaments are straight with a
thin mucilaginous sheath. The trichomes are blue-green with a thin sheath. The
ends are not attenuated and not capitate. The trichomes are 11–13 μm broad and
8–10 μm long.
Phormidium truncicola Ghose (Image 70)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.258,
pl. 59, fig. 9
The trichomes consist of thin
membrane and are constricted at cross walls. The calyptra is absent. The
trichomes are 6–8 μm broad and 2–3 μm long.
Phormidium usterii Schmidle (Image 69)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.257.
Trichomes with thin mucilaginous
sheath. The cells are shorter than broad with short rectangular cells with
broadly round ends. The trichome is 3–4 μm broad and 5–6 μm long.
Family: Nostocaceae
Genus: Anabaena Bory de
Bornet & Flahault
Anabaena anomala Fritsch (Image 71)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.398,
pl. 73, fig. 2
The thallus is thin and
gelatinous. The cells are spherical, and apical cells are rounded. The trichome
is blue-green, consisting of densely or irregularly aggregated rounded cells.
The cell is 2–5 μm in diameter.
Anabaena sphaerica Bornet et Flahault (Image 72)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.393,
pl. 71, fig. 8
Gelatinous thin sheath present,
Trichomes are pale blue-green in colour. Cells are barrel-shaped and 2–7 μm long. End cells are rounded.
Heterocysts are 9–11 μm broad and 13–17 μm long with a smooth yellow outer
wall.
Genus: Cylindrospermum Kutz
Cylindrospermum stagnale (Kutz.)
Born.et Flah (Image 73, 74)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.363,
pl. 65, fig. 9
The thallus is blue-green with a
mucilaginous sheath. The cells are constricted at the cross wall and nearly
quadrant to cylindrical with spherical or oblong heterocyst. The trichomes are
cylindrical and 2–5 μm broad.
Family: Rivulariaceae
Genus: Gloeotrichia Ag.
Gloeotrichia echinulata (J. E. Smith)
P. Richter (Image 75, 76)
Prescott, 1962, p.557, pl. 134,
figs. 1,2
The colonies are tiny macroscopic
and opaque at the centre and translucent at the periphery. The colonies are
free-floating, spherical and covered in a gelatinous sheath. The trichomes
radiate from a common centre and are tapered from basal heterocyst to a fine
hair-like end. The cells are cylindrical
to barrel-shaped 6–9 μm wide, and the cells are joined end to end to form long
chains.
Genus: Scytonema Ag.
Scytonema ocellatum Lyngbye ex Born. et
Flah (Image 77)
T.V Desikachary, 1959, p.467,
pl.92, fig.3
The thallus is cushion-like,
brownish to reddish with false branching. The trichomes are covered in a firm
mucilaginous sheath. The filaments are 11–15 μm broad.
Scytonema rivulare Borzi ex Born. et
Flah (Image 78)
T.V Desikachary, 1959, p.452,
pl.100, fig.2
The thallus is broad, with a
thick mucilaginous sheath. The thallus is brownish to reddish with false
branching. The cells are shorter than broad and 30 μm broad.
Order: Stigonematales
Family: Nostochopsidaceae
Genus: Nostochopsis Wood
em. Geitler
Nostochopsis lobatus Wood em. Geitler (Image 79; Image 80, 81)
T.V. Desikachary, 1959, p.570,
pl. 120, figs. 1-8
The thallus is irregularly lobed,
blue-green with a thick mucilaginous matrix. The cells are barrel-shaped. The
heterocyst are mostly lateral, spherical to ellipsoidal. The trichomes are 5–9
μm wide and 6–10 μm long.
Discussion
The freshwater ecosystem holds
the most biodiversity among all other ecosystem. The study of freshwater
habitat is significant as it occupies only 0.5% of the earth surface, but is
equally crucial because they are the cheapest natural source for domestic and
industrial purposes (Norton et al. 1996).
The present study portraits the
algal diversity of CWS. In our study, Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae algae were
dominant. The preliminary study conducted in Kannam River, Kannur, Kerala for
the diversity of algae has reported 40 algal species of which Chlorophyceae was
dominant, followed by Cyanophycea (Girish et al. 2018). The algal population of
Pennar River, Kottayam, has reported 61 algal species were Chlorophyceae was
dominant (Joseph & Claramma 2010). In our study also, more algae were reported
from the order Zygnematales, and Spirogyra was the most common genus.
The algal species from order Nostocales of Cyanophyceae was dominant. A similar
type of diversity was observed in the Gundur lake of Tamil Nadu. Out of 87
algal species reported from Gundur Lake, 37 species were Cyanophyta (Vijayan et
al. 2014). The algae from Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae were dominant in
species composition compared to other classes.
Conclusion
Overall, the biodiversity study
conducted in Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary shows a good presence of algae. The
study also revealed that Spirogyra was dominant from Chlorophyceae, Phacus
was dominant from Euglenineae, and Phormidium was dominant from Cyanophyceae.
The algal diversity directly depends on season and the physicochemical
parameters of the freshwater ecosystem. Therefore, extensive seasonal studies
are required for acquiring more knowledge about algal diversity.
Table 1. Latitude and Longitude
of sampling sites
|
Sampling sites |
Latitude (E) and Longitude (N) |
1 |
Pookoyil thodu |
10.4600, 76.4744 |
2 |
Kidakkapara thodu |
10.4641, 76.4658 |
3 |
Viraku thodu |
10.4497, 76.4444 |
4 |
Nellipara thodu |
10.4458, 76.4638 |
5 |
Anaporu thodu |
10.4300, 76.5069 |
6 |
Kodakallu thodu |
10.4388, 76.5141 |
7 |
Odan thodu |
10.4522, 76.5047 |
8 |
Mullapara thodu |
10.4558, 76.4983 |
9 |
Payampara thodu |
10.4544, 76.4913 |
10 |
Chimmony dam |
10.4605, 76.4722 |
Table 2. Algal species
identified from Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary.
|
Class |
Order |
Family |
Genus |
Species |
1 |
Chlorophyceae |
Volvocales |
Chlamydomonadaceae |
Chlamydomonas |
globosa Snow |
2 |
Volvocaceae |
Gonium |
pectorale Mueller |
||
3 |
Tetrasporales |
Tetrasporaceae |
Tetraspora |
gelatinosa (Vauch.) Desvaux |
|
4 |
Chlorococcales |
Chlorococcaceae |
Chlorococcum |
humicola (Naeg.) Rabenhorst |
|
5 |
Selenastraceae |
Monoraphidium |
griffithii (Berkeley)
Komarekova - Legnerova |
||
6 |
indicum Hindak |
||||
7 |
Scenedesmaceae |
Scenedesmus |
quadricauda var. maximus West
& West |
||
8 |
Ulotrichales |
Ulothrichaceae |
Ulothrix |
aequalis Kuetzing |
|
9 |
Cladophorales |
Cladophoraceae |
Pithophora |
oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock |
|
10 |
Chaetophorales |
Trentepohliaceae |
Trentepohlia |
aurea (L.) Martius |
|
11 |
Oedogoniales |
Oedogoniaceae |
Oedogonium |
areschougii Wittrock |
|
12 |
croasdaleae Jao |
||||
13 |
Zygnematales |
Zygnemataceae |
Mougeotia |
scalaris Hassall |
|
14 |
Zygnema |
carinatum Taft |
|||
15 |
Spirogyra |
acanthophora (Skuja) Czurda |
|||
16 |
condensata (Vauch.) Kuetzing |
||||
17 |
decimina (Mueller) Kuetzing |
||||
18 |
fuellebornei Schmidle |
||||
19 |
micropunctata Transeau |
||||
20 |
novaeangliae Transeau |
||||
21 |
rhizobrachialis Jao |
||||
22 |
Mesotaeniaceae |
Cylindrocystis |
brebissonii (Ralfs) De Bary |
||
23 |
Netrium |
digitus (Ehrbg.) Itzigs.
& Rothe |
|||
24 |
Desmediaceae |
Actinotaenium |
silvae-nigrae (Rabanus) Kouwets
& Coesel |
||
25 |
Closterium |
ehrenbergii meneghinii var. ehrenbergii |
|||
26 |
moniliferum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs |
||||
27 |
tumidulum Gay |
||||
28 |
Cosmarium |
botrytis Meneg |
|||
29 |
subtumidum Nordst |
||||
30 |
Micrasterias |
radians Turn var. bogoriensis
(Breb) G.S West |
|||
31 |
Pleurotaenium |
trabecula (Ehrbg) Nag |
|||
32 |
Staurastrum |
zonatum Borges var. majus
Presc. |
|||
33 |
Charales |
Characeae |
Nitella |
furcata (Roxburgh apud
Bruzelius) Agardh |
|
34 |
Euglenineae |
Euglenales |
Astasiaceae |
Euglena |
elastica Prescott |
35 |
minuta Prescott |
||||
36 |
Phacus |
curvicauda Swirenko |
|||
37 |
obolus Pochmann |
||||
38 |
orbicularis var. caudatus
Skzortzow |
||||
39 |
Lepocinclis |
acus (Muller) marin and
Melkonian |
|||
40 |
Trachelomonas |
hispida var. papillata
Skvortzow |
|||
41 |
Rhodophyceae |
Batrachospermales |
Batrachospermaceae |
Sheathia |
boryana (Sirodot) Salomaki
& M.L.Vis |
42 |
Cyanophyceae |
Chroococcales |
Chroococcaceae |
Aphanocapsa |
pulchra (Kutz) Rabenh |
43 |
Microcystis |
aeruginosa Kutz. |
|||
44 |
Nostocales |
Microchaetaceae |
Microchaete |
uberrima Carter, N |
|
45 |
Oscillatoriaceae |
Oscillatoria |
limosa Agardh ex Gomont |
||
46 |
subbrevis Schmidle |
||||
47 |
vizagapattensis Rao, C. B |
||||
48 |
Phormidium |
abronema Skuja |
|||
49 |
hansgirgi Schmidle |
||||
50 |
microtomum Skuja |
||||
51 |
molle (Kutz.) Gomont |
||||
52 |
retzii (Ag.) Gomont |
||||
53 |
truncicola Ghose |
||||
54 |
usterii Schmidle |
||||
55 |
Nostocaceae |
Anabaena |
anomala Fritsch |
||
56 |
sphaerica Bornet et Flahault |
||||
57 |
Cylindrospermum |
stagnale (Kutz.) Born.et
Flah |
|||
58 |
Rivulariaceae |
Gloeotrichia |
echinulata (J. E. Smith) P.
Richter |
||
59 |
Scytonema |
ocellatum Lyngbye ex Born.
et Flah |
|||
60 |
rivulare Borzi ex Born. et
Flah |
||||
61 |
Stigonematales |
Nostochopsidaceae |
Nostochopsis |
lobatus Wood em. Geitler |
For figure &
images - - click here
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