Three Ecotypes of Compsopogon coeruleus (Rhodophyta) from Orissa State, East Coast of India

doi:2007.22.2.87

Algae > Volume 22(2); 2007 > Article

Algae 2007;22(2): 87-93. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2007.22.2.087

Sachitra Kumar Ratha, Mrutyunjay Jena, Jnanendra Rath and Siba Prasad Adhikary^*

P.G. Departments of Botany & Biotechnology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar 751004, India

ABSTRACT

Three ecotypes of the freshwater red alga Compsopogon coeruleus (Balbis) Montagne were recorded from different freshwater and brackish water habitats of Orissa state in the east coast of India. These three had persistent differences in their branching pattern, e.g. (i) acute angle between main axis and lateral branch, (ii) equal or near to right angle between main axis and lateral branch, and (iii) short spine-like outgrowth instead of a branch in older filaments, besides having differences in the length, breadth and thickness of cortex of the thallus. Morphological observation of these taxa, and the ecological characteristics of the habitat of their occurrence is presented.

Key words: ecotypes, Compsopogon coeruleus, freshwater red alga, morphology