Phytoplankton species in Anzall Lagoon and Caspian Sea coastal waters

Plankton samples were collected in 28 stations in Anzali Lagoon and nearby coastal areas during 1997-1999. Overall, 9 phyla, 134 genera and 278 phytoplankton species were identified. Of the identified species, 56 genera and 107 species belonged to phylum Chlorophyta, 39 genera and 87 species belonged to Bacillariophyta, 2 genera and 2 species were from Xanthophyta, 4 genera and 4 species belonged to Chrysophyta, 6 genera and 34 species were from Euglenophyta, 7 genera and 9 species belonged to Pyrrophyta, I genus and 2 species were from Cryptophyta, 18 genera and 32 species were from Cynaophyta and I. genus and species was of Rhodophyta. We showed Cynaophyta and Bacillariophyta to be the most abundant phyla and western and southern parts of the lagoon the richest in terms of phytoplankton diversity and density. Cyanophyta planktons were the most abundant in summer in western part of the lagoon and were comprised of Micirocystis acruginosa, Oscillatoria litnosa and Anabaenopsis racibors....