Phytoplankton Abundance and Diversity in the Coastal Waters of Port Blair, South Andaman Island in Relation to Environmental Variables

Abstract

Phytoplankton Abundance and Diversity in the Coastal Waters of Port Blair, South Andaman Island in Relation to Environmental Variables The distribution and diversity of phytoplankton was studied in the coastal waters of south Andaman Sea during Sept 2011 to Mar 2012. A total of 227 species belonging to 67 genera were recorded in this study. Diatoms made larger contribution to the total abundance (68%) followed in order by Cyanophyceae (24%) and Dinoflagellates (8%). Silicoflagellates were numerically less (0.4%). Diatoms were represented by 164 species belonging to 46 genera, Dinoflagellates were represented by 58 species belonging to 16 genera, Cyanophyceae and Silicoflagellates comprised 2 genera each. Bacteriastrum hyalinum, Coscinodiscus granii, Eucampia zoodiacus, Leptocylindrus danicus, Nitzschia closterium, Odentella sinensis, O. mobiliensis, Pleruosigma affine, Rhizosilenia alata, R. imbricata, Prorocentrum micans, Protoperidinium depressum, Asterionella glacialis, Guinardia striata, Licmophora gracilis, Pleurosigma angulatum, Skeletonema costatum and Thalassionema nitzschioides were the most prevalent diatoms and dinoflagellates encountered in the samples.