Ecological studies on some estuarine and marine algae

Studies were made on the hydrographical conditions of the Godavari estuary; growth cycles, fruiting behaviour and productivity of Bostrychia tenella, Caloglossa leprieurii and Catenella impudica occurring in the Coringa, Balusutippa and Pandi zones of the Godavari estuary and on the growth and fruiting behaviour of Bangiopsis subsimplex, Porphyra vietnamensis and Ectocarpus mitchellae growing at Visakhapatnam coast. Laboratory experiments were conducted on these estuarine and marine algae to know the effects of salinity and temperature on photosynthesis and respiration. Seasonal and diurnal changes in spore shedding and effects of environmental factors such as exposure to air or desiccation, salinity and light intensity on spore shedding and diurnal periodicity were studied under laboratory conditions, using some of these algae of estuarine and marine habitats. Data collected on the growth cycles of Bostrychia tenella, Caloglossa leprieurii and Catenella impudica for two years from 1986 to1987, clearly indicated that the phytomass and growth in length of the fronds of these algae were minimum in August and September.