Plant Science Research, Vol. 38, 2016

Diversity of Ceratium along Astaranga coastal water, Bay of Bengal, Odisha

Ceratium spp. are important marine phytoplankton of phylum Myzozoa. They are the primary  producers in sea ecosystem and also act as biological indicators of the water. The present  study was carried out in Astaranga coastal water of Bay of Bengal during winter season to study  the diversity of Ceratium spp. found in the study area. Physicochemistry of the water was also  studied to relate with Ceratium diversity. In all nine different Ceratium spp. namely C. azoricum,  C. contrarium, C. declinatum, C. furca, C. fusus, C. longirostrum, C. lunula, C. macroceros, and  C. trichoceros were recorded. Their diversity in the water during the season could be related  to high nutrient and salt concentration and also could be the reason of clear water condition  in the locality.