Page 595 - e-Book

INTRODUCTION

The aquatic ecosystem encompasses about half of the photosynthetic biomass
production in our planet. The majority of this is represented by both planktonic and

periphytic algae. Algae are primitive group of organisms with diverse morphological
physiognomies ranging from unicellular form to multicellular thallus form. Among them

microalgae are highly diverse group of organisms that have important functions in the aquatic
habitats. Freshwater microalgae are found in the photic zones of stream and rivers, lakes and

wetlands. They are important primary producers in streams, lakes and wetlands. Floristic

study on algae is noteworthy phases to our knowledge about the aquatic water bodies. In
addition, it reflects the seasonal variation, evolutionary processes, ecological functions and

stability of aquatic ecosystem. At the recent period, a total of 72,500 algal species (including

varieties, forma etc.) recorded, of which about 44,000 species scientifically reported and
published world-wide (Guiry, 2012). In India, ca 7310 species belonging to 835 genera which

are placed under 10 classes 95 order and 255 families (http://bsienvis.nic.in/).
Karnataka is geographically positioned at south west and largest state in South India.

It is bounded by the Arabian Sea towards the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra
towards the north, Telangana to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the

southeast, and South by Kerala. This state endows with 1761 algal taxa fallen under 9 orders

of 109 families. Among them, 100 taxa are reported as endemic to Karnataka & 46 are
endemic to India by several researchers in different decades (Gupta R. K., and Das S. K.,

2018, https://karunadu.karnataka.gov.in).
Though the state of Karnataka is artistically gifted with enormous diversity of algae,

the status of the algal diversity in central parts, specially at Shivamogga district is sporadic,
inadequate and inordinate in the knowledge on their occurrence. Hegde (1994) stated the

occurrence of new 5 taxa of desmids from Karnataka state collected in various ponds and

lakes of Shivamogga District. Shanthala et al (2009) investigated the diversity of
phytoplankton in waste stabilization pond at Shivamogga town and listed the 71 species.

Venkateshwaralu et al (2011) worked on comparative hydrobiological study of two

contrasting wetlands and retained the presence of 79 species. Sayeswara et al (Sayeswara, H.
A., Mahesh Anand Goudar and Manjunatha, R.), 2011, worked on physico- chemical

parameters and phytoplanktonic composition of Hosahalli pond, Shivamogga District and
reported 60 taxa. Rashmi and Malammanavar (2013) studied diversity of phytoplankton of

Lakkinakoppa pond from Shivamogga district and revealed the occurencec of 54 species.
Rajeshwari and Krishnamurthy (2015) examined the algal flora of Bhadra river, Shivamogga

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