Qualitative and quantitative study of Epiphytic algae on Hydrilla verticillata at Al-Dora site in Tigris River within Baghdad City, Iraq

Abstract

In current work we study epiphytic algae on Hydrilla verticillata in Tigris River within Al-Dora region of Baghdad city during the period between March and December 2013. Total of (128 species, 39 genera) of epiphytic algae on H.verticillata were identified during study. Bacillariophyceae (Diatoms) was dominting group (97species,24genera,80%) followed by Chlorophyceae (18 species,9 genera 11%) and Cyanophyceae (13 species,6 genera,9%).An impressive and temporal distributions of epiphytic algae on H.verticillata was observed in this study. The higher total number of epiphytic algae (523.3×104individual/g WW) was recorded in summer 2013, while the lower was (194.9×104individual/g WW) in winter 2013.Three biodiversity indices (Shannon- Weaver, richness, and evenness) were calculated. And different indces values were evaluated in seasons.