Morpho-Taxonomic Studies on the Genus Spirogyra Link (Cholorophyta) Occuring in Fresh Water Bodies of Jammu, Jammu And Kashmir

Abstract

Sixteen species of Spirogyra Link 1820 (Zygnemophyceae, Chlorophyceae) were collected during 2008 to 2010 from different freshwater habitats of three districts of Jammu province viz., Samba district, Jammu district and Udhampur district. They were taxonomically determined on the basis of vegetative structure and reproductive structure. Their reproduction was mostly studied during winters and spring seasons. Both lateral conjugation and scalar form conjugation were observed. The scalariform conjugation was most common type of conjugation method among species. S. calcarea, S rectispire, S submarina, S hollandiae and S buchetii were taxonomically determined and have been described for first time in India and Jammu. Their reproduction was observed to occur mostly in winter and spring season. All sixteen species were found abundantly in both lentic and lotic water habitat.