Non-Diatomic Diversity and Community Structure in Hoor-Al- Azime Marshes, Iran

Abstract

This study was conducted to delineate diversity and species composition of non-diatoms planktonic algae in Hoor- Al- Azime marshes, Iran. The samples were collected from four sites at monthly basis from April 2011 to March 2012. A total 88 taxa were identified, out of which (40 taxa, 45.45%) belonging to Cyanophyta followed by Chlorophyta (29 taxa, 32.96%), Euglenophyta (18 taxa, 20.45%) and (1 taxa, 1.14%) of Dinophyta recorded. Comparing species richness (65 taxa, 34.76%) at Shat- Ali (St4) was the highest and the lowest (34 taxa, 18.18%) was observed at Rafi (St2). Species occurrence was associated with temperature where in summer (66 taxa) and (25 taxa) encountered winter. The phytoplankton density ranged from 51.04 ×103 cells/Liter in summer to 2.17 ×103 cells/Liter in winter for Cyanophyta and from 20.58 ×103 cells/Liter in summer to 2.92 ×103 cells/Liter in winter for Chlorophyta. St4 is characterized by the highest density 36.33×103 cells/Liter (43.96 %), while St2 recorded the lowest phytoplankton density 7.33×103 cells/Liter (8.93%). Euglenophyta and Dinophyta did not record a noticeable density during study period. This study document updated knowledge of non-diatom plankton diversity and seasonal oscillation an important wetland ecosystem.