Identification of epilithic diatoms in Zrringol River of Golestan province

Studies on algal flora in Iran have received little attention and there is no publication in Persian for the algal flora of Iran. Due to the major importance of algae in aquatic ecosystems and water quality, identification of different groups of algae has a great importance. The diatoms are unicellular, sometimes colonial algae found in almost every aquatic habitat. In this survey, Epilithic diatoms of Zarringol River were studied for the first time. Sampling was done form stone substrates in monthly intervals. In total, 31 species belonging to 19 genera and 13 families were identified. Gomphonema with 5 sp. Navicula with 4 sp. and Cymbella with 3 sp. were the most abundant genera. According to morphology, most of the species with 13 sp. and 6 genera belonged to group asymmetrical biraphid. Most of the species identified in this river are indicative of eutrophic waters

Keywords:

Algae , Diatom , Floristic , Iran