A PRELIMINARY CHECK-LIST OF ALGAE IN LOTIC AND LENTIC TYPE OF WATER BODIES IN CUDDALORE DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU

Algal samples were collected from lotic and lentic type of water bodies in cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu. Collections were carried out during the month of January to December 2021. Samples were studied in the laboratory and identified. Samples were collected from the study areas and it comprising of the present study listed a total of 265 species in the Lotic and lentic water bodies in cuddalore district. Out of 265 species representing 78 genera of 4 families and 27 orders as per classification referred by Desikachary (1959). Among Chlorophyceae members, the genus scenedesmus was dominant with 106 species followed by cosmarium, coelastrum, spirogyra, pediastrum, Ankistrodesmus, and Oocystis. The predominant genera in Bacillariophyceae are Cyclotella,Pinnulatoria, Nitzschia, Caloneis, Tabellaria, and Amphora encompassing a total of 58 species. The Cyanophyceae includes a total of 68 species, among which the genera Oscillatoria, Chroococcus, and Lyngbya were observed in maximum. In Euglenophyceae, 24 species were recorded such as Euglena and Trachelomonas which contributed the least number of species comparatively. The present study revealed that the Species richness (SR) were in the order of Chlorophyceae >Bacillophyceae > Cyanophyceae > Euglenophyceae. The exploration of biodiversity. Identification, isolation and culturing of different microalgae and the study of their utility has already been an interesting area of research so far