Phytoplankton diversity at some selected sites of the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Phytoplanktons are the essential biological component of aquatic ecosystem. Diversity of phytoplankton life is used as a measure of productivity of marine ecosystem. Phytoplanktons were estimated qualitatively with reference to their diversity in the Gulf of Kachchh at three sites west coast of India (Poshitra, Narara and Pirotan), for winter season of year 2011- 2012. For phytoplankton study, samples were collected through plankton net (20 micron) from November to February on monthly basis. Phytoplankton samples were preserved with Formaldehyde (4%) for further taxonomical identification under Trinocular light microscope. 78 number of phytoplankton species were recorded during the study period. Four divisions of phytoplankton (78 species) were identified; Bacillariophyta (72 species), Dinophyta (3 species), Cyanophyta (2 species) and Chlorophyta (1 species). The dominant family of phytoplankton was Bacillariophyceae followed by members of Dinophyceae> Cyanophyta> Chlorophyta.