DISTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTIC CYANOBACTERIA ON RED MACROALGAL SPECIES OCCURRING AT A ROCKY SHORE (BULEJI), KARACHI, PAKISTAN
Abstract
In the present research the epiphytic species of cyanobacteria were recorded in the coastal region of Buleji, Karachi. In total 67 species of cyanobacteria were found attached to the surface of red algae. The rhodophycean species were Galaxaura oblongata, Calliblipharis fimbriata, Hypnea pannosa, Centroceras clavlulatum, ceramium manorense, Laurencia pinnatifida and Melanothamnus somaliensis. The species of cyanobacteria were classified in the four orders Nostocales, (41 species) Chroococcales (17 species), Chamaesiphonales (6 species) and Pleurocapsales (2 species). The highest number of cyanobacteria were attached with Hypnea pannosa (23 species) and the lowest number with Calliblepharis fimbriata (6 species). Three different media (ASNIII, MN and Miquel’s) made of either natural or artificial seawater were used in this experiment.