Diversity and distribution of phytoplankton from some estuaries in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra

Surekha N. Dhumal; Anjali B. Sabale

Volume : V, Issue : VIII, August - 2015

Diversity and distribution of phytoplankton from some estuaries in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra

Surekha N. Dhumal, Anjali B. Sabale

Abstract :

Present work deals with diversity and distribution of phytoplankton at a few estuaries from Sindhudurg district along the west coast of Maharashtra during summer season (May). A total of 130 species belonging to 54 genera and five classes of phytoplankton namely, cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Dinophyceae, Coccolithophoraceae and Bacillariophyceae have been reported. Out of these Achanthusevipes v. intermedia, Nitzschiaconstricta, N. nana, Skeletonemacostatum, andLicmophoraparadoxawere common at all sites. The density of phytoplankton was more at Adbandar estuary (39) and minimum at Mithbav estuary (27). The number of Bacillariophyceae members was maximum at all the sites. The result concluded that the selected estuaries are more fertile with rich phytoplankton productivity