Studies on brackish water epiphytic algae from Sundarbans in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India

Abstract

This study represents the species diversity and ecology of brackish water epiphyticalgae of Sundarbans. Out of 22 taxa, Cyanophyceae represent 50%, Chlorophyceae and Xanthophyceae were 36% and 14%, respectively. These algal taxa were studied in relationto physicochemical characters viz. water temperature, transparency, pH, salinity,phosphate and nitrate. To analyze the data, computerized statistical package was used tocalculate correlation co-efficient between the epiphytic algal distribution andphysicochemical factors. A dendrogram was also constructed to reveal the relationshipsamong different algae on the basis of their diversity in different seasons. Epiphytic algaltaxa showed maximum growth during summer and are more diverse and variable atdifferent stations. These taxa showed a correlation with the habitat.