Diversity of Phytoplankton in Yerracheruvu Siddipet District, Telangana

Abstract

Phytoplankton are the Autotrophic components of the plankton Community and a key part of ocean and fresh water ecosystems. Phytoplankton obtain their energy through Photosynthesis as do trees and other plants on land this means phytoplankton must have light from the sun, so they live in the well-lit surface areas of ocean and lakes. Phytoplankton form the base of marine and fresh water food webs and are key players in the global carbon cycle. Phytoplankton are diverse, varying from photosynthesizing bacteria to plant-like algae to armour-plated Coccolithophores. Important groups of phytoplankton includes Diatoms, Cyanobacteria & Dinoflagellates. Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with naked eye. When present in high enough numbers some varieties may be noticeable as colored patches on water surface due to presence of chlorophyll and accessory pigments in some species. They provide food for many fish species and play a key role in aquatic food web. A total number of 10 species are identified from the Yerracheruvu. This was the systemic survey on the phytoplankton diversity of a Yerracheruvu lake of Siddipet District, Telangana State 502103.