Phytoplankton Community Composition in Gowrikere Tank, Anandapura, Sagara, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India

Abstract

This study was carried out in Gowrikere tank of Anandapura village of Sagara taluk of Shivamogga city, Karnataka on phytoplankton diversity and density for a period of twelve months from January to December 2012. A total of 48 species belonging to 37 genera of phytoplankton were recorded. Relative abundance of phytoplankton in tank showed maximum of Bacillariophyceae (27.08%), followed by Chlorophyceae (22.91%), Cyanophyceae (20.83%), Desminds (18.75%) and Euglenophyceae (10.41%). The highest density of phytoplankton was recorded during summer season. Chlorococcales varied with peak density (10925 org. /l (Organism/Litre)) during May and lower in the month of December (7034 org. /l). Diatoms ranged from 1981 org. /l (September) to 4432 org. /l (January). Desmids varied with peak density (83 org./l) during February and lower in the month of July (32 org. /l). Euglenoids population showed maximum density during the month of March (3091 org./l) and minimum with 1973 org./l in the month of July. Density of blue greens recorded a maximum of 9114 organism / in April and a minimum of 7115 organism/l during the month of December. Pollution tolerant species such as Scenedesmus quadricauda, Coelastrum microporum, Phacus longicauda, Trachelomonas robasta and Microcystis aeroginosa were recorded.