Note on Ankistrodesmus Corda and Kirchneriella Schmidle in Hooghly, West Bengal, India

Abstract

The present communication was dealt with morpho-taxonomic descriptions of two Chlorophycean algal Species namely Ankistrodesmus densus Korshikov and Kirchneriella lunaris (Kirch.) Möebius, belonging to the two separate genera Ankistrodesmus Corda and Kirchneriella Schmidle.They are included in the order Chlorococcales of class Chlorophyceae. These species were grown in association with other coccoid green algal members and explored from two aquatic ecosystems viz. pond and river in Hooghly district, West Bengal, India. Both are formed colonies of aggregation of green cells. In the former species, colony of elongated acicular cells with pointed ends was observed while, the later showed colony of lunate cells with rounded ends.They prefer to grow from late monsoon to winter season. These two taxa are being reported as new records from this area. The limnological study revealed that they can tolerate fluccuation of temperature and turbidity in water bodies. Moderately alkaline water and total alkalinity values affect their occurrences. In addition to these, inorganic nitrate-nitrogen and phosphate availability in aquatic bodies help their growth.