Eco-taxonomic distribution of some colonial cyanophycota from north-east Punjab, Pakistan

This study was carried out in four districts of Punjab i.e. Gujranwala, Gujrat, Narowal and Sialkot, which represents the north-east region of Pakistan. The sampling was performed randomly in different seasons of the year and 35 colonial species of cyanophycota belonging to 9 genera were identified. Most of the species were found abundantly in summer season and at alkaline pH greater than 7, which indicate that warmer conditions are required for optimal growth of colonial cyanophycota. Among 35 colonial cyanophycotes, Largest genus was found to be Aphanocapsa with its 8 species having variable pH and EC ranging from 7.68-8.9 and 75.3-144, followed by Merismopedia (7 spp.) having pH and EC ranging from 7.66-8.7 and 92.8-161, Chroococcus (5 spp.) having pH and EC ranging from 7.87-9.8 and 93.67-150.5, Gloeocapsa (4 spp.) having pH and EC ranging from 8.12-8.82 and 130.8-149.2, Synechoccus (3 spp.) having pH and EC ranging from 8.5-8.88 and 102.8-135 and Microcystis (3 spp.) having pH and EC ranging from 7.85-8.7 and 122.3-126, Gloeothece (2 spp.) having pH and EC ranging from 8.12-8.36 and 109.5-118.7, Aphanothece (2 spp.) having pH and EC ranging from 8.07-9.21 and 116.8-122.7 and Eucapsis (1 sp.) with pH and EC i.e., 8.3 and 12.02 respectively. (author)