Research Article a Checklist of the Phytoplankton Flora of a Southern Nigerian Lotic Ecosystem

Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences 6(1): 1-6, 2014 DOI:10.19026/crjbs.6.5490 ISSN: 2041-076X, e-ISSN: 2041-0778 © 2014 Maxwell Scientific Publication Corp. Submitted: December 10, 2012 Accepted: January 07, 2013 Published: January 20, 2014

Research Article A Checklist of the Phytoplankton Flora of a Southern Nigerian Lotic Ecosystem

1Osagie Ekhator, 2Fred Idiem Opute and 3Osondu Christopher Akoma 1Department of Botany, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, 2Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, 3Department of Basic Sciences (Microbiology Option), Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract: This study presents a first compilation of phytoplankton species composition of a stretch of fresh and brackish water ecosystem in Southern Nigeria. Samples collection spanned a period of sixteen months (January 2003 to April 2004). Phytoplankton samples were collected monthly in the open water using plankton net of 55 µm mesh size towed horizontally for about five minutes. The net hauls were transferred into 200 mL properly labelled plastic containers and immediately preserved with 4% formation solution. Samples were examined and illustrations made with a Leitz Orthoplan Research Microscope equipped with a tracing and measuring devices at the phycology laboratory in University of Benin, Benin City. A seasonal pattern of phytoplankton variation was observed with a hundred and 154 phytoplankton species recorded. The taxa recorded belong to four divisions namely: Bacillariophyceae (diatoms), Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae), Euglenophyceae (euglenoids) and Chlorophyceae (green algae). The Diatoms were the predominant group and account for 79% of total species composition. Others are Chlorophyceae 19.77%; Cyanophyceae 1% and Euglenophyceae, 0.23%. The brackish water stations recorded relatively higher number of species and number of individuals of each species than the freshwater stations. An array of floristically diverse phytoplankton was observed with notable common and cosmopolitan diatom species like Coscinodiscus and Nitschia spp in abundance.

Keywords: Brackishwater, freshwater, Nigeria, Osse River, phytoplankton, taxa

INTRODUCTION water quality with their ability to detect even the subtle changes taking place in their ambient environment The term plankton refers to any small biota (Sithik et al., 2009). (usually microscopic) living in the water adrift in the Reports on phycological information in similar water column and incapable of maintaining its position freshwater bodies are available in Kadiri and Opute and at the mercy of currents. Phytoplankton (algae) (1989), Kadiri (1993), Kadiri and Opute (2003), Kadiri such as diatoms, grow in the presence of sunlight and (2000b), Kadiri and Omozusi (2002), Kadiri (1996), nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. They are Opute (2003, 1991), Kadiri (2002a), Opute (2000), mostly unicellular, filamentous or aggregate of cells Nwankwo (1998), Davies et al. (2008), Akoma (2007, and form the base of the trophic structure in the aquatic 2008), Akoma and Opute (2010), Ekwu and Sikoki food chain. Some of these plants are in turn grazed (2006), Adesalu and Nwankwo (2010), Uttah et al. upon by zooplankton, which is dominated by small (2008), Onyema et al. (2010), Mustapha (2010), crustaceans such as copepods, shrimps and their larvae. Adejare and James (2010), Adesalu and Nwankwo The amount of phytoplankton in the water column (2008), Kadiri (2002b) and Nwankwo and Onyema reflects the influence of a number of environmental (2003). factors and processes (Suthers and Rissik, 2009). Some The study is important because it is a pioneer phytoplankton species may be considered as villains- investigation of this nature in Osse River and therefore producing red tides or toxic algae-but there are only a will contribute to the knowledge of phycological few species responsible. Most phytoplankton is information in Nigeria. enormously beneficial, such as those used in the aquaculture industry (Suthers and Rissik, 2009). Study area: The Osse River takes its source from the Phytoplankton has immense values as they play a vital Akpata hills in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Fig. 1). It flows role in aquaculture feed since they form the primary through Ovia North-East Local Government Area of food producer. The great fishing grounds of the seas are Edo State and empties into the Benin River through the found in where algae are found in abundance. As the Gwato Creek which anddrains into the Atlantic Ocean most sensitive organisms, they serve as indicators of at the Bight of Benin. The climate has the unique

Corresponding Author: Osagie Ekhator, Department of Botany, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). 1

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Fig. 1: Map of Osse River showing sample stations features of the humid tropical wet season and dry A CHECKLIST OF PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES seasons. In the wet season, the river is characterized by IN OSSE RIVER increased flow rate, high turbidity and muddy water especially after heavy rainfall while dry season is In this list, algal species are arranged according to characterized by moderate or slow flow rate and clearer their divisions, classes, orders and families. water. Several streams and creeks drain into the river. The river is the major source of drinking water for the Taxanomic list: inhabitants of these communities (Omoigberale and Division : Bacillariophyta Ogbeibu, 2007). Class : Bacillariophyceae Order : Centrales METHODOLOGY Family : Coscinodiscacea Genus : Coscinodiscus Ehrenberg Phytoplankton samples were collected by towing Coscinodiscus centralis Ehr. 55 µm mesh size plankton net against the current at Family : Thalassiosiraceae subsurface level for ten minutes. The samples were Genus : Aulacoseira Thwaites preserved in a solution of four per cent formaldehyde. Aulacoseira ambiqua (Grun.) Simon Phytoplankton samples were examined in the laboratory A. graulata (Ehr.) Ralfs using a Leitz Orthoplan Universal Wide-Field Research A. granulata var. angustissima Muller microscope equipped with tracing and measuring A. granulata var. angustissima f.spiralis devices. Identification and classification of Family : Melosiraceae phytoplankton were carried out with the aid of standard Genus : Melosira Agardh monographs and publications including Prescott (1975), Melosira monoliformis (Muller) Agardh Kadiri (1987) and Opute (1990, 1991, 2000, 2003). M. nyassensis Muller var. victoriae Muller Genus : Cyclotella Kutz. Result: Phytoplankton checklist Cyclotella sp. 2

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Family : Heliopeltaceae P. rivularis Hustedt Genus : Actinoptychus Ehrenberg P. divergens W. Smith f. capitata Cleve – Actinoptychus splendens (Shadbolt) Ralfs Euler Family : Biddulphiaceae P. viridis (Nitzsch) Ehr. Genus : Terpsinoe Ehrenberg P. nobilis Ehr. Terpsinoe musica Ehr. Genus : Cymbella Agardh Genus : Hydrosera G.C.Wallich Cymbella sp Hydrosera sp Genus : Pleurosigma. Smith Family : Lithodesmiaceae Pleurosigma delicatum W. Smith Genus : Ditylum Bailey P. decorum W. Smith Ditylum brightwelli (West) Grunow P. formosum W. Smith D. sol Grunow P. angulatum (Quek.) Smith Family : Eupodiscaceae Family : Nitzschiaceae Grunow Genus : Odontella Agardh Genus : Nitzschia Hass. Odontella regia (Schultz) Simonsen Nitzschia palaceae Grun. O. sinensis (Grev.) Grun. Family : Surirellaceae Genus : Triceratium Ehrenberg Genus : Stenopterobia Breb. Triceratium favus Ehr. Stenopterobia rautenbachiae Choln. Genus : Biddulphia Graville Genus : Surirella Turp. Biddulphia longicruris Grev. Surirella robusta Ehr. Order : Pennales S. elegans Ehr. Family : Diatomaceae S. gemma Ehrenberg Genus : Fragillaria Lyngb. S. celebesiana Hustedt Fragillaria javanica Hustedt S. engleri Muller. f. genuina recta Fragillaria sp. Division : Chlorophyta Genus : Desmogonium Ehrenberg Class : Chlorophyceae Desmogonium rabenhorstianum var. Order : Zygnematales elongatum Patr. Family : Desmidiaceae Genus : Synedra Ehrenberg Genus : Actinotaenium Teiling Synedra acus Kutz. Actinotaenium mooreanum (Arch) Teil var. S. ulna (Nitzsch) Ehr. Mooreanum S. superba Kutz. Genus : Bambusina (Kutzing) Ralfs Genus : Tabellaria Ehrenberg Bambusina brebissonii Kutz. var. maius Tabellaria fenestrata (Lyng.) Kutz. (Racib.) Croasd. T. flocculosa (Rothe) Kutz. var. Genus : Closterium (Nitzsch) Ralf asterionelloides Grun. in var. Heurick Closterium monoliferum (Bory) Ehr. Genus : Thalassiothrix Cleve et Grun Cl. kuetzingii Breb. Thalassiothrix frauvenfeldii (Grun.) Cleve Cl. setaceum Ehr. and Grun. Cl. gracile Breb. ex. Ralf var. elongatum W. Family : Eunotiaceae and G. S. West Genus : Eunotia Ehrenberg Cl. ehrenbergii (Schr.)Ehr. Eunotia flexuosa Breb. & Kutz. Cl.acerosum (Schr) Ehr. E. monodon Ehr. var. tropica Hustedt Cl. lineatum (Ehr.) E. asterionelloides Hustedt Cl. ralfsii Breb. var. hybridum Raben E. pectinalis (Dillw and Kutz) Rabh. Cl. lunula (Mull.) Nitzsch. var. maximum Family : Naviculaceae Kutz. Borge Genus : Frustulia Rabenh. Cl. lunula (Mull.) Nitzsch Frustulia rhomboides (Ehr.) DeToni. Cl. dianae Ehr. var. arcuatum (Breb.) Raben Genus : Gyrosigma Agardh Cl. turgidum Ehr. var. borgei (Borge) Defl. Gyrosigma balticum W. Smith Cl. lunula (Mull.) Nitzsch var. Maximum Genus : Navicula Bory Borge f. crassissimum Croasdale Navicula vaucheriae Pet. Genus : Cosmarium Corda N. gastrum (Ehr.) Dokin Cosmarium monodii Bourrelly N. sp. C. decoratum (West and West) Genus : Pinnularia Ehrenberg C. depressum (Nag.) Lund Pinnularia cardinaliculus Cleve C. askenasyi Schmidle. f. latum Scott and P. subcapitata Greg. Presc. 3

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C. subauriculatum West and West var. S. dubia Kutz. bogoriense (Bern.) Bourrelly S. majuscula Kutz. C. birectum var. floridense Wolle S. insignis (Hass) Kutz. C. sabbulteum Schmidle var. maius Thom. S. karnalae Randehawa C. salisburi Fritsch and Rich Genus : Mougeotia Agardh C. pyramidatum Breb. Mougeotia sphaerocarpa Wolle Genus : Desmidium (Agardh) Ralfs Order : Oedogoniales Desmidium swartzii Agardh Family : Oedogoniaceae D. quadratum Nordst Genus : Oedogonium Link D. baileyi (Ralfs) De Bary. f. tetragonum Oedogonium grande Kutz. Nordst O. suecicum Wittr. Genus : Euastrum (Ehrenberg) Ralfs Order : Ulotrichales Euastrum spinulosum Delp. var. lindae Family : Ulotrichaceae Groubi. & Scott. Genus : Ulothrix Kutz. Euastrum didelta (Ralfs) var. bengalicum Ulothrix tenuissima Kutz. Lagerh Order : Siphonocladales Genus : Hyalotheca (Ehrenberg) Ralfs Family : Cladophoraceae Hyalotheca dissiliens (Smith) Breb. Genus : Cladophora Kutz. Genus : Micrasterias (Agardh) Ralfs Cladophora oligoclona Kutz. Micrasterias fimbriata Ralfs Order : Chlorococcales M. mahabuleshwarensis Hobs. var. Family : Coelastraceae dichotoma Smith Genus : Coelastrum Naegeli M. torreyi Bail. var. curvata Krieger Coelastrum microporum Naegeli M. apiculata (Ehr.) Menegh var. stuhlmanii C. cambrium Arch. (Hieron) Bourrelly Family : Scenedesmaceae M. americana (Ehr.) Ralfs Genus : Scenedesmus Meyen M. thomasiana Arch. var. notata (Nordst) Scenedesmus magnus Meyen Gronbl Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) Breb. M. radians Turn. var. bogoriensis (Breb.) Family : Hydrodictyaceae West & West Genus : Pediastrum Meyen M. ambadiensis (Gronbl and Scott) Thom Pediastrum tetras (Ehr.) Ralfs M. foliaceae Bailey P. duplex Meyen Genus : Pleurotaenium Nageli P. duplex var. subgranulatum Racib. Pleurotaenium ovatum Nordst var. tumidium P. boryanum var. longicorne Reinsch (Mask) West P. boryanum (Turp.) Menegh var. boryanum P. ovatum Nordst Order : Volvocales P. coronatum (Breb.) Raben. var. Family : Volvocaceae nodulosum West and West Genus : Eudorina Ehrenberg P. ehrenbergii (Breb.) De Bary Eudorina elegans Ehr. P. coronatum (Breb.) Raben. var. fluctuatum Genus : Pandorina Bory West Pandorina morum (Mull.) Bory P. subcoronulatum (Turn.) West and West P. species var. africanum Schmidle Genus : Pleodorina Shaw P. subcoronulatum (Turn.) West and West Pleodorina illinoisensis Kofoid Genus : Triploceras Bailey Genus : Volvox Linnaeus Triploceras gracile Bail var. bidentum Volvox africana Nordst V. aureus Ehr. Family : Gonatozygonaceae Division : Euglenophyta Genus : Gonatozygon De Bary Class : Euglenophyceae Gonatozygon monotaenium De Bary var. Order : Euglenales angustum Forster Family : Euglenaceae G. aculeatum Hastings Genus : Euglena Ehrenberg G. kinahani (Arch) Raben. var. interruptum Euglena spirogyra Ehrenberg Forster E. helecoides (Bern.) Lemm. Family : Zygenemataceae E. viridis Ehrenberg Genus : Spirogyra Link E. oxyuris Schmarda Spirogyra communis (Hass.) Kutz. E. acus Ehrenberg 4

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