Eukaryotic Algal Flora of Surface Water and Wells Derived from Groundwater in the Astir Region, Including 13 New Records for Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Xanthophyta, freshwater algae, surface water, groundwater, new records, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Algal flora Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta and Xanthophyta groups were surveyed in six surface water bodies and six groundwater wells between August and December 2003. A total of 29 taxa were recorded during this study, of which 27 belonged to the Chlorophyta, one to the Euglenophyta and one to the Xanthophyta. Most species of Chlorophyta showed diversity in their distribution among all surface water and groundwater sites. However, some species occurred only in surface water sites. On the other hand, one species, Coelastrum microsporum, was recorded only in groundwater sites. The Xanthophycean Tribonema uticulosum was found in both surface water and groundwater sites. The results also showed that some species of belonging to the Chlorophyta and Euglenophyta species were restricted only to a certain site. Compared to the results of previous studies on freshwater algae in Saudi Arabia, thirteen species were new records for Saudi Arabia, of which, 11 belonged to the Chlorophyta, one to the Euglenophyta and one to the Xanthophyta