Review Article - International Research Journal of Plant Science ( 2021) Volume 12, Issue 6
Received: 02-Nov-2021 Published: 10-Dec-2021, DOI: http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/irjps.2021.34
Phytoplankton flora of Kaaraneeswarar temple tank, Saidapet was studied. It is situated in the heart of the Cosmopolitan Chennai City. The present study aimed to identify the Chlorophytes inhabiting the tank. Generally green algae dominate the freshwater ecosystem. The taxa identified comprised of 38 species belonging to 23 genera. Sphearopleales had 24 species, followed by Chlorellales with ten species. Trebouxiophyceae ordo incertae sedis was represented by two species. One species of Chlamydomonadales and Charophyte were identified.
Lacunastrum, raphidocelis, heynigia, hindakia, microalgae, phycology.
Microalgal diversity study plays a very critical role in today’s world. India being a tropical nation is blessed with species richness. The subtropical nature and geographic position as made it a haven for biological species. Continuous microalgal diversity study in tropical regions has led to discovery of several new species (Neustupa et al., 2007; Rindi & Lopez- Bautista, 2007; Elias et al., 2008; Zhang et al., 2008; Neustupa et al., 2009). The study microalgal biodiversity is gaining importance for its ecological benefits and biotechnological potential. The phytoplankton community contributes most of the organic carbon available to pelagic food chains (Reynolds, 2006). They are very important taxa in the world as they provide solutions for major world complications. Microalgae are studied for its lipid content to be used as biofuel, an alternative to fossil fuels. Microalgae provide solutions for many manmade disasters. Phycoremediation can fix the long term environment damage caused due to human intervention.
Algal research to cater the energy needs of human development is at the fore. They are probable source of bioenergy, medicinal products, biofertilizer, food and fodder (Mobin et al., 2002). Microalgae possess natural compounds which are used as useful components (Gouveia et al., 2010). They are source of high value biochemical like astaxanthin, β-carotene, etc (Leon et al., 2003). Microalgae are source for many compounds which have a significant role in our daily lives (Sweetman, 2009). Microalgae are going to be the super food in near future with high nutrient content. In fact it has created a new avenue in the form of nutraceuticals for entrepreneurs.
Phycology was in limelight for a very long time in Tamil Nadu and it was blessed with stalwarts recognized worldwide. At present the study of phycology is dwindling in Tamil Nadu. The times and methods have changed. In recent times, modern techniques are more sought out method for identifying the species with precision. The quantity and quality of water has changed a lot which play a big role in the abundance of microalgae. Microbial ecosystems are now defined due to human influences (Omar, 2010). Irrespective of their nature, any water body will harbour microalgae in it Figure 1.
Figure 1. (A) Karaneeswarar Temple Pond, (B) Map.
Basionym: Pediastrum duplex var. gracillimum West & G. S. West
In India, ponds are always associated with temples. At present, about 2359 temple tanks are there in Tamilnadu State of India (downtoearth.org). In Chennai, there are plenty of temples with an adjacent pond. The pond has a significant role both spiritually and socially. Water from the pond is used for all temple activities. It will recharge the groundwater of the area (Sankaran & Thiruneelagandan, 2015). Generally they dry during summer and it gets back water again during the monsoon months. In South India, temple tanks along with sacred trees and sacred groves have been vital for environment conservation (Amirthalingam & Muthukrishnan, 2004). Karaneeswarar temple has Lord Shiva as its deity and it is located amidst the urban sprawl in Saidapet, Chennai, India. The pond (Photo 1) is in existence for nearly 400 years. The geographic coordinates is 18° 1' 29" North and 80° 13’ 21” East (Map 1) and it spreads over an area of 40000 square feet and it is 35 feet deep. The Hindu religious and cultural endowments, Government of Tamil Nadu maintain the temple and the pond.
The green colour of the pond (sampling area) showed that it has very high species richness. The Chlorophyta taxa are the largest and diverse among the various micro algal groups (Perez et al., 2002). The present study has showed dominance in Chlorophyte members. 37 species were represented by Chlorophyte and One species from Charophyte. Among the members of Sphaeropleales (Class Chlorophyceae), Scenedesmaceae was the maximum with twelve species, followed by eight species from Hydrodictyaceae and minimum was Selenastraceae with four species. Tetrasporaceae of Chlamydomonadales had only one species. Chlorellales (Class Trebouxiophyceae) was represented by ten species with eight species of Chlorellaceae and two species of Oocystaceae. Trebouxiophyceae ordo incertae sedis (Class Chlorophyceae) was the minimum with only two species.
The water sample was collected in January 2021. It was taken from different spots. The sample was fixed with formalin and brought to the laboratory for microscopic examination. Microphotographs of microalgae were taken using Microvision, Digital Camera (5.1 MP, 1/25” APTINA CMOS SENSOR). The identification was carried out using books, monographs and web resources. The standard books and monographs Prescott (1962); Philipose (1967); Das & Adhikary (2014); Algaebase (Guiry, 2021), an online resource for listing the World’s Algae was used for species confirmation and its recent name.
Empire – Eukaryota Chatton, 1925.
Kingdom – Plantae Haeckel, 1866.
Subkingdom – Viridiplantae Cavalier-Smith, 1981.
Infrakingdom- Chlorophyta infrakingdom Cavalier-Smith, 1993.
Phylum – Chlorophyta Reichenbach, 1834.
Subphylum – Chlorophytina Cavalier-Smith, 1998.
Class – Chlorophyceae Wille in Warming, 1884.
Order – Sphaeropleales Luerssen, 1877.
Family – Hydrodictyaceae Dumortier 1829
Lacunastrum gracillimum (West & G. S. West) H. McManus (Figure 1)
Figure (Plate 1) : 1. Lacunastrum gracillimum 2. Monactinus simplex 3. Parapediastrum biradiatum 4. Pediastrum duplex 5. Stauridium tetras 6. Tetraëdron minimum 7. Tetraëdron triangulare 8. Tetraëdron trilobulatum 9. Desmodesmus armatus 10. Desmodesmus armatus var. bicaudatus 11. Desmodesmus bicaudatus 12. Desmodesmus brasiliensis 13. Desmodesmus communis 14. Desmodesmus insignis 15. Desmodesmus protuberans 16. Scenedesmus obtusus
Basionym: Pediastrum duplex var. gracillimum West & G. S. West
Colony with 16 cells; Intercellular spaces are larger in colonies; Colony is 60 μm in diameter; Cells are narrow; Outer or marginal cells has two long processes and inner cells have shorter processes; Cells are 18 μm in diameter.
Monactinus simplex (Meyen) Corda (Figure 2)
Figure (Plate 2) : 17. Scenedesmus tibiscensis 18. Tetradesmus bernardii 19. Tetradesmus lagerheimii 20. Westella botryoides 21. Kirchneriella lunaris 22. Monoraphidium contortum 23. Monoraphidium komarkovae 24. Raphidocelis danubiana 25. Tetraspora gelatinosa 26. Acanthosphaera zachariasi 27. Dictyosphaerium ehrenbergianum 28. Dictyosphaerium reniforme 29. Heynigia dictyosphaerioides 30. Heynigia riparia 31. Hindakia fallax 32. Hindakia tetrachotoma 33. Micractinium pusillum 34. Willea apiculata 35. Willea irregularis 36. Crucigenia fenestrata 37. Lemmermannia tetrapedia 38. Euastrum amoenum.
Basionym: Pediastrum simplex Meyen
Colony with 8 cells and 65 μm in diameter; Outer cells possess two tapering processes; Inner cells are H shaped; Intercellular spaces are present; Cells are 12 μm long.
Parapediastrum biradiatum (Meyen) E. Hegewald (Figure 3)
Basionym: Pediastrum biradiatum Meyen
Colony with 16 cells and 51 μm in diameter; Outer cells have two V shaped lobes; Outer most cells are attached at the base with deep incision; H shaped inner cells; Cells are 12 μm in diameter.
Pediastrum duplex Meyen (Figure 4)
Colony is eight celled, 75 – 80 μm in diameter; Cells are H shaped and shows parallel arrangement with the other cells; Intercellular spaces is present; Cells are 18 μm in diameter.
Stauridium tetras (Ehrenberg) E. Hegewald (Figure 5)
Basionym: Micrasterias tetras Ehrenberg
Colonies are circular or square shaped without intercellular spaces; Colonies have 4 to 8 cells and reach up to 25 – 30 μm in diameter; Cells are divided by a deep incision and with triangular processes extending outward; Cells are 7 to 8 μm in diameter.
Tetraedron minimum (A. Braun) Hansgirg (Figure 6)
Basionym: Polyedrium minimum A. Braun
Quadrangular cells with concave sides; Flat cell body; Cell corners possess small papillae; Cells are small and 9 μm in diameter.
Tetraedron triangulare Korshikov (Figure 7)
Triangular cells with concave lateral sides; Flat cell body; Cell angles are rounded; Cells are 30 μm in diameter.
Tetraedron trilobulatum (Reinsch) Hansgirg (Figure 8)
Basionym: Polyedrium trilobulatum Reinsch
Triangular cells with sides deeply concave; Cell angles are rounded; Cell corners possess small papillae; Cells are 33 μm in diameter.
Family – Scenedesmaceae Oltmanns, 1904.
Subfamily – Desmodesmoideae
Desmodesmus armatus (Chodat) E. Hegewald 2000. (Fig. 9)
Basionym: Scenedesmus hystrix var armatus Chodat
Colonies of 2, 4 (8) celled; Ellipsoidal cells with cone like rounded ends; Outer cell has polar spines; Inner cells are devoid of spines. Length of the cells is 11 µm and width is 3 µm; Spines are 11 µm.
Desmodesmus armatus var. bicaudatus(Guglielmetti) E. Hegewald 2000. (Fig. 10)
Basionym: Scenedesmus acutiformis var. bicaudatus Guglielmetti
Colonies of four; Cells are ellipsoidal; Outer cells have spine at poles arranged in opposite sides; Inner cells without spines; Length of the cells is 13 µm long and width is 6 µm; Spines are 12 µm.
Desmodesmus bicaudatus (Dedusenko) P. M. Tsarenko (Fig. 11)
Basionym: Scenedesmus bicaudatus Dedusenko
Colonies of two; Oblong cells with rounded ends; Outer cells have spine at poles arranged in opposite sides; Length of the cells is 11 µm long and width is 6 µm; Spines are 17 µm.
Desmodesmus brasiliensis (Bohlin) E. Hegewald (Fig. 12)
Basionym: Scenedesmus brasiliensis Bohlin
Colonies are flat with four cells; Elliptical to oblong cells; One to two polar denticles seen in inner cells; Length of the cells is 19 µm long and width is 6 µm; Spines are very small.
Desmodesmus communis (E. Hegewald) E. Hegewald (Fig. 13)
Basionym: Scenedesmus communis E.Hegewald
Dense elongated with cone like rounded cells in colonies of four; Spines are present at the apex of terminal cells; Cell wall is smooth; Length of the cells is 18 µm long and width is 6 µm; Spines are 15 µm.
Desmodesmus insignis (West & G. S. West) E. Hegewald (Fig. 14)
Basionym: Scenedesmus quadricauda var. insignis West & G.S.West
Colonies of four cells; Elliptical cells with rounded ends; Outer cells are shorter than the inner cells; Length of the cells is 9 µm long and width is 3 µm; Spines are very long and reach up to a length of 18 µm.
Desmodesmus protuberans (F. E. Fritsch & M. F. Rich) E. Hegewald (Fig. 15)
Basionym: Scenedesmus protuberans F.E.Fritsch & M.F.Rich
Colonies of four; Cylindrical cells with rounded ends; Inner cells are longer; Outer Cells possess long spines at their poles; Length of the cells is 13 µm long and width is 3 µm; Spines reach up to a length of 13 µm.
Scenedesmus obtusus Meyen (Fig. 16)
Colonies of four; Ovate cells with papilla at their polar ends; Cells are seen in zigzag arrangement; Each cell is in contact with the adjacent cell up to half their length; Spines absent; Length of the cells is 14 µm long and width is 7 µm.
Scenedesmus tibiscensis Uherkovich (Fig. 17)
Colonies of eight; Ovate cylindrical cells with rounded ends; Cells are arranged alternately; Spines are absent; Length of the cells is 16 µm long and width is 6 µm.
Tetradesmus bernardii (G. M. Smith) M. J. Wynne (Fig. 18)
Basionym: Scenedesmus bernardii G.M.Smith
Colonies of four; Crescent shaped outer and fusiform inner cells with acute ends; Outer cells median portion attached to the ends of the inner cells; Inner cells are attached in the middle; Spines absent; Cells are 15 µm long and 4 µm wide.
Tetradesmus lagerheimii M. J. Wynne & Guiry (Fig. 19)
Colonies of four; Elongated fusiform inner and crescent shaped outer cells with acute ends; Cells are 12 µm long and 3 µm wide.
Westella botryoides (West) De Wildeman (Fig. 20)
Basionym: Tetracoccus botryoides West
Colonies with 16 cells; Spherical cells arranged in fours or eights; Cells are linked wall fragments of the parental cell wall; Colony is not enveloped by mucilage; Cells are 9 µm in diameter.
Family – Selenastraceae Blackman and Tansley 1903
Kirchneriella lunaris (Kirchner) Möbius (Fig. 21)
Crescent shaped cells; Cells termini are rounded; Cells are 9 µm long and 4 µm wide.
Monoraphidium contortum (Thuret) Komárková-Legnerová (Fig. 22)
Basionym: Ankistrodesmus contortus Thuret
Elongated fusiform cells tapering to pointed ends; Crescent shaped cells; Cells are 15 µm long and 3 µm wide.
Monoraphidium komarkovae Nygaard (Fig. 23)
Needle shaped cells tapering to pointed ends; Cells are 35 – 40 µm long and 4 – 5 µm wide.
Raphidocelis danubiana (Hindák) Marvan, Komárek & Comas (Fig. 24)
Basionym: Kirchneriella danubiana Hindák
Colony with four cells; Horse shoe shaped cells; Cells are irregularly arranged; Poles are rounded; Cells are 12 μm long and 2 μm wide.
Order – Chlamydomonadales F. E. Fritsch 1927
Family – Tetrasporaceae Wittrock 1872
Tetraspora gelatinosa (Vaucher) Desvaux (Fig. 25)
Colony is non-motile with four cells; Colony is present in homogenous mucilage; Cells are spherical; Cells are 14 µm in diameter.
Class – Trebouxiophyceae Friedl 1995
Order – Chlorellales Bold & M. J. Wynne 1978
Family – Chlorellaceae Brunnthaler 1913
Acanthosphaera zachariasi Lemmermann (Fig. 26)
Spherical cell body with elongated spines around; Basal portion of the spine is thickened, narrowing to a fine bristle; Cell is 23 μm in diameter; Spines 15 μm in length.
Dictyosphaerium ehrenbergianum Nägeli (Fig. 27)
Oval to ellipsoidal cells; Mucilage filaments are dichotomously branched connecting radially by their longer side of the cells; Cells are 6 µm long and 4 µm wide.
Dictyosphaerium reniforme Bulnheim (Fig. 28)
Reniform cells; Mucilage filaments are di or tetrachotomously branched connecting radially by their convex side of the cells; Cells are 11 µm long and 5 µm wide.
Heynigia dictyosphaerioides C. Bock, Proschold & Krienitz (Fig. 29)
Spherical cells; Mucilage filaments are di or tetrachotomously branched connected to the base of the cell; Cells are 5 – 6 µm in diameter.
Heynigia riparia C. Bock, Proschold & Krienitz (Fig. 30)
Spherical cells; Mucilage filaments are di or tetrachotomously branched connected to the base of the cell; Cell arrangement is Cells are 6 – 7 µm in diameter.
Hindakia fallax (Komárek) C. Bock, Proschold & Krienitz (Fig. 31)
Basionym: Dictyosphaerium tetrachotomum var. fallax Komárek
Oval to spherical cells; Cells are slightly asymmetric and tapering to a more or less sharp point; filaments are fine and branched pseudotetrachotomously; Cells are 6 µm long and 3 µm wide.
Hindakia tetrachotoma (Printz) C. Bock, Pröschold & Krienitz (Fig. 32)
Basionym: Dictyosphaerium tetrachotomum Printz
Colony with 16 cells; Oval to elliptical cells; Mucilage filament is regular and connecting with the ends of the cells; Cells are 8 µm long and 5 µm wide.
Micractinium pusillum Fresenius (Fig. 33)
Colony with 4 cells; Spherical cells with hyaline spines; Cells are 8 µm in diameter.
Family – Oocystaceae Bohlin 1901
Subfamily – Makinoelloideae
Willea apiculata (Lemmermann) D. M. John, M. J. Wynne & P. M. Tsarenko (Fig. 34)
Basionym: Staurogenia apiculata Lemmermann
Pie shaped Cells; Cells joined in groups of four; Cells are seen within flattened colonies; Colony has a crucified central part; Cells are 8 µm long.
Willea irregularis (Wille) Schmidle (Fig. 35)
Basionym: Crucigenia irregularis Wille
Irregular reniform cells; Cells joined in groups of four; Cells are seen within flattened colonies; Cells are arranged irregularly; Cells are 11 µm long.
Order – Trebouxiophyceae ordo incertae sedis
Family – Trebouxiophyceae incertae sedis
Crucigenia fenestrata (Schmidle) Schmidle (Fig. 36)
Basionym: Staurogenia fenestrata Schmidle
Coenobium is rhomboidal with a large internal space; Trapezoid cells; Cells outer side is straight or slightly curved; Cells are 12 µm long and 15 µm wide.
Lemmermannia tetrapedia (Kirchner) Lemmermann (Fig. 37)
Basionym: Staurogenia tetrapedia Kirchner
Triangular cells; Cells are joined in groups of four; Cells are seen in flattened colonies; Cells are 5 µm long.
Infrakingdom – Streptophyta infrakingdom Cavalier Smith
Phylum – Charophyta Migula
Class – Zygnematophyceae Round Ex Guiry
Subclass- Zygnematophycidae Melkonian, Gontcharov & Marin 2019
Order – Desmidiales Bessey 1907
Family – Desmidiaceae Ralfs 1848
Euastrum amoenum F. Gay (Fig. 38)
Solitary cells with narrow apical incision; Semi cells are rectangular in shape; Cells are deeply constricted in the mid region; Cell is 32 µm long.
The Chlorophyte taxa are identified for a quite a long time, information on their taxonomy and phylogeny is still lacking (Zou et al., 2016). Morphological features like cell shape, chloroplast site, reproduction, colony construction, flagella type, etc are used to identify microalgae (Leliaert, 2012). Identification of common genera of freshwater bodies like Desmodesmus and Scenedesmus species becomes very difficult due to small variations among the identified species (Johnson et al., 2007). The phenotype of Scenedesmus is affected by nutrient availability, light quality, predators present in the freshwater environment (Trainor, 1992).
Hindakia and Heynigia are two new genera established based on their phylogenetic relationship with Dictyosphaerium ehrenbergianum (Bock et al., 2010). Based on morphological variations and Phylogenetics two species of these two genera were established. Heynigia dictyosphaerioides, Heynigia riparia, Hindakia fallax and Hindakia tetrachotoma, Acanthosphaera zachariasi are reported for the first time in India.
Scenedesmus is economically important taxa with high biotechnological potential. It is used in biodiesel production (Wu et al., 2013). Heavy metal contamination in water can be reduced using Scenedesmus (Terry and Stone, 2006). With very high antioxidant content it has the ability to reduce cancer risk (Jhony, 2017). Many species of Scenedesmus are used as single cell protein.
The present research revealed presence of more species from the taxa chlorophyta. A single sample collection study has shown the presence 38 taxa of chlorophytes. The number of taxa identified in the sample was 38. Chlorophyte was dominating with 37 species. One species was represented by a desmid (Charophyte). Sphaeropleales was the order with maximum number of 24 species. The order Chlorellales had ten species. Order Trebouxiophyceae ordo incertae sedis had two species. One species was documented from Chlamydomonadales and Desmidiales. Desmodesmus was the genera with maximum of seven species. Tetraedron followed with three species. Two species each were seen in Scenedesmus, Tetradesmus, Monoraphidium, Dictyosphaerium, Heynigia, Hindakia, Willea. Fourteen genera represented with one species each.
In depth study of the pond will result in identification of more number of microalgae. It will add more number of species to the biodiversity registry. The pond can be a source for many economically important species.
The authors would like to thank the authorities for helping in water sample collection from the temple tank. We would like to thank Maxar technologies for the satellite image of the temple tank. We would like to thank online resource the algaebase for aiding in identification and finding basionyms of the identified species.