Taxonomic Diversity of Pediastrum simplex in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Freshwater algal samples have been collected from four districts of Andhra Pradesh andscreened for the Genus Pediastrum. The examination of 40 samples collected revealed anumber of rare and noteworthy Pediastrum taxa. In the present paper six varieties ofPediastrum simplex Mayen are depicted and discussed. These are Pediastrum simplexMayen variety simplex Komarek, Var. clathratum (Schrot) Chod, var. psuedoglabrum Parra,var. sturmii (Reinch) Wolle, var. echinulatum Wittr. Var. biwaense Fukush . Of these formertwo were more frequent with different morphotypes in all samples and later three were rarein distribution. The taxonomic key is provided and all taxa are described withmicrophotographs. Pediastrum simplex var. psuedoglabrum Parra, var. sturmii (Reinch)Wolle, var. echinulatum Wittr. Var. biwaense Fukush are reported as first distributionalrecords to the state of Andhra Pradesh.