Phytoplankton Diversity of Pandalam Municipal Area, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the comprehensive and systematic analysis of the unexplored phytoplankton diversity of the unique biodiversity area of Pandalam Municipality of Kerala after the major flood event of the year 2018. The study was carried out between October 2018 and January 2019. Eight study locations were explored in the flood-affected areas of Pandalam Municipality (PN1, PN2, PN3, PN4, PN5, PN6, PN7, and PN8). The study revealed the occurrence of 78 genera belonging to five classes, such as Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Charophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Chrysophyceae. Algae belonging to the Class Bcillariophyceae were more in number (30) compared to all the other classes, followed by-members of class Chlorophyceae (17). The genus Cosmarium and Nitzschia were the most frequently occurring algae throughout the study period (six species each). The genera Pinnularia and Navicula were also abundant (5 and 4 species, respectively).