The composition and seasonal distribution of epiphytic algae in Anzali lagoon, Iran

Epiphytic algae are an important constituent of any aquatic ecosystems. These algae form the base of the food web in littoral microhabitats in freshwater lakes. Our study was conducted for one year, from September 2000 through August 2001, when epiphytic algal samples were taken from natural and artificial substrata. In this study, 150 species have been identified belonging to 64 genera and 7 classes. Bacillariophyceae, with 95 species, had the highest species diversity. Chlorophyceae were represented by 29 species, Cyanophyceae 15 species, and Euglenophyceae by 9 species. Dinophyceae and Chrysophyceae were represented by one species each. The population density of Chlorophyceae in spring and Cyanophyceae in late summer was high. Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae often were absent in winter but Bacillariophyceae were present with high percent. Navicula spp and Nitzschia spp were the most abundant genera over the study.