New York Science Journal 2014;7(9)

New York Science Journal 2014;7(9) http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork

Study of seaweeds diversity of port ‘Okha’ in winter

Jagbeer Cheema1 , Aniket Bhattacharya2, Ishan Saini1 and Ashok Aggarwal1*

1Department of Botany, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India 2 Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, University of Calcutta, Kolkata West Bengal, India * [email protected]

Abstract: The present study was conducted in seaweed rich moist coastal zone of Port “Okha” of Saurashtra coast, Gujarat, India in winter (December, January and February) during the year 2012 & 2013 consecutively to document the seaweed diversity of the area. A total of 72 species belonging to 26 families and 46 genera were recorded from the study area. The Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae were represented by a total of 19, 22 and 31 species, respectively. Of the 26 families recorded, 7 were represented by single species, 6 by two species, 5 by three species and 6 with more than 3 species. Dictyotaceae was the dominant family with 13 species, followed by Sargassaceae and Ulvaceae with 5 species each. The maximum species richness was found to be in the month of February in comparison to December and January. This paper presents the current status of seaweed wealth of different beachfronts of 'Okha'. [Jagbeer Cheema,, Aniket Bhattacharya, Ishan Saini and Ashok Aggarwal. Study of seaweeds diversity of port ‘Okha’ in winter. N Y Sci J 2014;7(9):21-26]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork. 6

Keywords: Seaweed Diversity, Okha Port, Gulf of Kutch, Seasonal Variations.

1. Introduction zone of 7300 km2 containing a system of creeks, Seaweeds include all the macroscopic algae marshy tidal flats and rocky coral reefs which occurring in the marine and brackish water habitats provide favorable environment to a wide variety of and are considered as one of the primary producer of seaweeds. A standout amongst the most fertile marine ecosystem. They are mainly found in the regions on the ‘Gulf of Kutch’ is Port Okha, situated intertidal and the sub-tidal region up to a depth, in district Jamnagar. This area being at the mouth of where 0.01 % photosynthetic light is available “Gulf of Kutch” encounters strong water currents (Domettila et al., 2013). The distribution and round the year as compared to other parts. A diversity of the seaweeds in a marine ecosystem moderate temperature (21.5 to 30◦C) with salinity of directly depends on light exposure, depth, 35.46 to 37.32 PSU, an exposure of 0.7–0.9 km width temperature, tides and the seashore characters of intertidal zone for 3–4 hours with tidal amplitude (Darghalkar & Kavlekar, 2004). Seaweeds are of 4–5m creates a unique hospitable habitat for considered as important marine living resources and luxuriant growth of diverse seaweeds over this area are utilized by the humans in different ways. They (Chauhan, 1965; Misra, 1960). are the only source for the production of The first diversity assessment of seaweeds in phytochemicals namely agar-agar, carrageenan and India was carried out by Krisnamurthy and Joshi algin, which are extensively used in various (1970) where they had reported only 153 species industries such as food, confectionary, textiles, belonging to 95 genera from the entire seaside of pharmaceuticals, dairy and paper industry mostly as Gujarat. Subsequently, an updated checklist was gelling, stabilising and thickening agents prepared by Sahoo (2001) reporting about 280 (Kaliaperumal et. al., 1989). species from Gujarat coast, which is 36% of total India having a coastline of more than 7,000 reported Indian seaweeds. Later, Jha et al. (2009) km. supports a rich floristic diversity of seaweeds reported 198 species of seaweeds fitting in with 101 (Oza and Zaidi 2001). These occur mainly in coastal genera from the Gujarat coast. Regarding our study areas with rocky substratum or rich with corals viz. site, Murthy et al. (1978) made preliminary Visakhapatnam in the eastern coast, Mahabalipuram, ecological investigations on the intertidal algae at Gulf of Mannar, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin and Kerala in Port Okha and described the zonation pattern of the the southern coast; Veraval and Gulf of Kutch in the seaweeds. Shah et al. (2001) contemplated the western coast; Andaman and Nicobar islands and cyanobacterial diversity. Thakur et al. (2008) also Lakshadweep (Umamaheswara Rao, 1967; Silva et reported 62 species of seaweeds from ‘Okha’ amid al., 1996; Sahoo et al., 2001). 2004 to 2005. Later on, Nakar et al. (2011) studied “Gulf of Kutch” is one of the potential areas the species diversity, density and biomass of in India for rich growth of seaweeds. It possesses a seaweeds from the same site during their survey in

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2007-2008. But as the species diversity may change brought to the Department of Botany, Kurukshetra along with the time due to many reasons, so an University, India. Later some of the collected updated report is always needed to know the recent specimens were permanently preserved in status. Hence, this paper introduces the ebb and flow formaldehyde solution and some others were dried status of seaweed diversity of different coastal ranges and mounted on Herbarium sheets. The samples were of 'Okha', which is a critical venture to re-assess the identified using authenticated manuals and books on sea-weeds diversity of this area. Seaweeds and given accession number. Herbarium of algal samples was deposited at the Department of 2. Materials and Methods Botany, Kurukshetra University, India. 2.1 Study Area 3. Results The present study was conducted in Port Okha, During the study period a total of 72 species situated in Jamnagar district between 22◦28’N of seaweeds were found, belonging to 46 genera and latitude and 69◦05’E longitude at the mouth of Gulf 26 families (Table. 1). The maximum diversity was of Kutch on the north-western most part of exhibited by Rhodophyceae with 31 species, Saurashtra coast of Gujarat (Fig. 1). The coast is followed by Phaeophyceae with 22 species and characterized by tertiary rocks alternating with Chlorophyceae with 19 species. Twenty-five genera patches of corals and sand deposits making the area of red algae fitting into 15 families were reported more hospitable for the growth of all types of from the study site. Halymeniaceae and seaweed throughout the year (Børgesen, 1934). Rhodymeniaceae were the most diverse families and Physicochemical properties of seawater at Port at generic level Gracilaria and Scinaia showed the Okha are as follows: temperature ranged from 21.5 to maximum species diversity. Whereas, the least 30◦C, salinity from 35.46 to 37.32 PSU, D.O. from distributed red algae was Solieria robusta. In 5.3 to 6.7 ppm, turbidity from 0 to 200 ppm, Pheophyceae, 12 genera were found belonging to 4 phosphate phosphorus from 0.1 to 1.05 μg atom/l, families viz. Dictyotaceae, Scytosiphonaceae, nitrate nitrogen from 2.0 to 11.5 μg atom/l (Chauhan, Cystoceiraceae and Sargassaceae. Dictyotaceae was 1965). the most abundant family followed by Sargassaceae, 2.2 Algal Sampling where as Cystoceiraceae showing the least Random sampling technique has been applied in abundance. Sargassum was the most abundant genus the algal collection procedure. Collections of macro- but maximum species diversity was reported in algal specimens were carried out at five different Dictyota. Among the members of Chlorophyceae, sites on the Okha coast. All the specimens were twenty-five genera included into 15 families were collected from the intertidal region during winter reported, out of which Caulerpaceae was the most (December, January and February) in the year 2012 abundant and Cladophoraceae and Udoteaceae were & 2013 consecutively. Collections were made during the least abundant families. Caulerpa and Ulva were dawn and morning hours from their natural habitats. the most abundant genus and Caulerpa racemosa The collections of the samples were done using long showed the highest species richness. On contrary, forceps and scalpels. The fresh specimens were Valoniopsis pachynema showed lowest species temporarily preserved in 4% formalin solution and richness.

Fig. 1. Map showing the study site: Port Okha, Gulf of Kutch.

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Table 1: Checklist of Seaweeds Diversity of Port Okha, Gujarat. Sr. No. Species Class Order Family Site Site Site Site Site 1 2 3 4 5 Boodlea composita Chlorophyceae Cladophorales Siphonocladaceae + + - - + (Harvey) Brand Caulerpa racemosa Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Caulerpaceae +++ ++ +++ ++ ++ (Forssk˚al) J. Agardh Caulerpa scalpelliformis Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Caulerpaceae + + + - + (R. Brown ex Turner) C. Agardh Caulerpa sertularioides Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Caulerpaceae ++ ++ + ++ + (S. Gmelin) Howe Caulerpa taxifolia Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Caulerpaceae ++ + + - ++ (Vahl) C. Agardh Caulerpa veravalensis Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Caulerpaceae ++ + + + - Thivy & Chauhan Chaetomorpha spirallis Chlorophyceae Cladophorales Cladophoraceae + - - + + Okamura Codium decorticatum Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Codiaceae ++ + + + + (Woodward) Howe Codium dwarkense Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Codiaceae ++ + + - + (Boergs.) Codium tomentosum Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Codiaceae ++ + ++ + + (Huds.) Enteromorpha Chlorophyceae Ulvales Ulvaceae + - + + - compressa (Linn) Nees Halimeda macroloba Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Halimedaceae ++ + + - + Decaisne

Halimeda tuna (Ellis & Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Halimedaceae + - - + + Solander) Lamouroux Udotea indica A. Gepp Chlorophyceae Bryopsidales Udoteaceae + & E. Gepp + - + - Ulva beytensis Thivy & Chlorophyceae Ulvales Ulvaceae + ++ ++ + + Sharma Ulva fasciata Delile Chlorophyceae Ulvales Ulvaceae ++ + ++ + + Ulva lactuca Linnaeus Chlorophyceae Ulvales Ulvaceae +++ + ++ ++ + Ulva rigida C. Agardh Chlorophyceae Ulvales Ulvaceae + ++ + + ++ Valoniopsis pachynema Chlorophyceae Cladophorales Siphonocladaceae + - - + - (G. Martens) Børgesen Colpomenia sinuosa Phaeophyceae Chordariales Scytosiphonaceae ++ + ++ ++ ++ (Merens ex Rotyh) Derbes & Solier Cystoseira indica (Thivy Phaeophyceae Fucales Cystoceiraceae ++ ++ + + ++ & Doshi) Mairh Dictyopteris Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae + ++ + - + acrostichoides J. Agardh Dictyopteris australis Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae ++ ++ +++ + ++ (Sonder) Askenasy Dictyota bartayresiana Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae ++ + + ++ ++ Lamouroux Dictyota cervicornis Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae + ++ + + + (Kützing) Dictyota ciliolata Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae + ++ + ++ + Sonder ex Kützing Dictyota dichotoma Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae ++ +++ + ++ ++ (Hudson) Lamouroux Dictyota divaricata J. Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae + + ++ + ++ Agardh Dictyota fasciola (Roth) Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae + + - + + J.V. Lamouroux Iyengaria stellata Phaeophyceae Chordariales Scytosiphonaceae + ++ ++ ++ + (Børgesen) Børgesen Lobophora variegata (J. Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae + - + - - V. Lamouroux) Womersley ex E.C. Oliveira Padina tetrastromatica Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae ++ +++ + ++ + Hauck

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Rosenvingea intricata Phaeophyceae Chordariales Scytosiphonaceae - + - - + (J.Agardh) Børgesen Sargassum cinctum J. Phaeophyceae Fucales Sargassaceae ++ + ++ ++ + Agardh Sargassum cinereum J. Phaeophyceae Fucales Sargassaceae ++ ++ + ++ + Agardh Sargassum johnstonii Phaeophyceae Fucales Sargassaceae +++ +++ ++ ++ + Setchell & Gardner Sargassum tenerrimum Phaeophyceae Fucales Sargassaceae ++ +++ +++ +++ ++ J. Agardh Spatoglossum asperum Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae ++ +++ ++ ++ ++ J. Agardh Spatoglossum variabile Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae ++ ++ ++ ++ + Figari & De Notaris Stoechospermum Phaeophyceae Dictyotales Dictyotaceae +++ ++ ++ + ++ marginatum (C. Agardh) J. Agardh Turbinaria conoides J. Phaeophyceae Fucales Sargassaceae ++ + ++ + + Agardh

Agardhiella subulata (C. Rhodophyceae Gigartinales Solieriaceae - - + + - Agardh) Kraft & Wynne Amphiroa anceps Rhodophyceae Corallinales Corallinaceae + ++ + - ++ (Lamarck) Decaisne Botryocladia botryoides Rhodophyceae Rhodymeniales Rhodymeniaceae - - + + + J. Agardh Ceramium rubrum Rhodophyceae Ceramiales Ceramiaceae + - - - + Auctorum Champia indica Rhodophyceae Rhodymeniales Champiaceae + - + + - Børgesen Chondria dasyphylla Rhodophyceae Ceramiales Rhodomelaceae + ++ ++ ++ ++ (Woodward) J. Agardh Coelarthrum muelleri Rhodophyceae Rhodymeniales Rhodymeniaceae + + - + + (Sonder) Børgesen Corallina officinalis Rhodophyceae Corallinales Corallinaceae + ++ ++ + - Linnaeus Corynomorpha Rhodophyceae Cryptonemiales Corynomorphaceae - + + + - prismatica (J. Agardh) Cryptonemia undulate Rhodophyceae Cryptonemiales Halymeniaceae - + + + - Sonder Gelidiella acerosa Rhodophyceae Gelidiales Gellidiallaceae + + - + - (Forsskål) Feldmann & Hamel Gelidiopsis variabilis Rhodophyceae Rhodymeniales Rhodymeniaceae + - - + - (J. Agardh) Schmitz Gelidium pusillum Rhodophyceae Gelidiales Gelidiaceae + ++ + + + (Stackhouse) Le Jolis Gracilaria corticata Rhodophyceae Gracilariales Gracilariaceae ++ + ++ ++ + (J. Agardh) J. Agardh Gracilaria salicornia Rhodophyceae Gracilariales Gracilariaceae + + ++ + + (C.Agardh) Dawson Gracilaria verrucosa Rhodophyceae Gracilariales Gracilariaceae + ++ ++ ++ + (Hudson) Papenfuss Grateloupia indica Rhodophyceae Cryptonemiales Halymeniaceae ++ ++ + ++ + Børgesen Griffithsia rhizophora Rhodophyceae Ceramiales Ceramiaceae - + - + + Frunow ex Weber – van Bosse Haloplegma duperreyi Rhodophyceae Ceramiales Ceramiaceae - - + + + Mont. Halymenia Rhodophyceae Cryptonemiales Halymeniaceae - + - + + porphyraeformis P.G. Parkinson Halymenia venusta Rhodophyceae Cryptonemiales Halymeniaceae ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ Børgesen Hypnea musciformis Rhodophyceae Gigartinales Hypneaceae + - ++ + - (Wulfen) Lamouroux Laurencia Rhodophyceae Ceramiales Rhodomelaceae + - - + - pedicularioides Cribb

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Porphyra indica V. Rhodophyceae Bangiales Bangiaceae + + + - - Krishnamurthy & M. Baluswami Porphyra okhaensis H. Rhodophyceae Bangiales Bangiaceae + - + + + Joshi, Oza & Tewari Rhodymenia sonderi Rhodophyceae Rhodymeniales Rhodymeniaceae - - + + + Silva Scinaia fascicularis Rhodophyceae Nemaliales Galaxauraceae + - + - + (Bthetaorg.) Desikach et. Singh Scinaia hatei J. Agardh Rhodophyceae Nemaliales Galaxauraceae ++ - + - - Scinaia moniliformis J. Rhodophyceae Nemaliales Galaxauraceae + - - + + Agardh Sebdenia polydactyla Rhodophyceae Gigartinales Sebdeniaceae - + + - + (Børgesen) M. Balakrishnan Solieria robusta Rhodophyceae Gigartinales Solieriaceae + - - - + (Greville) Kylin +++ abundant; ++ good; + fair; – absent.

4. Discussion According to our observations made, Species composition of seaweeds largely seaweeds showed remarkable difference in their depends upon season, population structure and habitat preference within the intertidal zone. The several other ecological factors (Krishnamurthy, continental shelf at Okha port consists of tertiary 1967). Several workers have reported a drastic rocks and corals along the shore and sandy bottoms change in the water level and quality in ‘Gulf of towards the Gulf. As we move from the shore Kutch’. A continuous increase in the inflow of towards the gulf, there is a change in the habit of nutrients has been reported from different areas of the seaweeds. At the rocky substratum along the shore, ‘Gulf’. Due to a decrease in the area of continental the species with holdfast like, Ulva sp., Sargassum shelf, an increase in the water level has also been sp., Halymenia sp. etc were seen attached to the documented (Sanagoudra and Bhat 2013). All these corals and rocks. Whereas in deeper water, the events are resulting into a change in the marine species with heterotrichous habit like Caulerpa sp., ecosystem continuously in different areas of the ‘Gulf Champia sp., were most common. Halimeda sp. and of Kutch ’along with the time. Our study area, being Udotea sp. although have holdfast like structure but situated at the mouth of the ‘Gulf of Kutch’, also still found in the deep water. In the present study, faces these kinds of changes. Added to these, many Rhodophyceae was found in a maximum number industrial and other developmental activities have representing 31 species belonging to 25 genera and accelerated in and around ‘Okha’ in recent years 15 families. Similar type of observation was also which generate a huge anthropogenic pressure. Due reported by Nakar et al. (2011), but they reported to the continuous change in local environmental only 15 species. Nakar et al. (2011) also found that conditions several microclimatic pockets have been the species abundance next to Rhodophyceae was generated affecting the structure and characteristic that of Chlorophyceae followed by Phaeophyceae. features of algal community prevailing there. But according to our observation Phaeophyceae was According to earlier surveys done at Port Okha, algal more abundant than Chlorophyceae. In overall, the season occurs from November to May, whereas a most abundant seaweed species found from the study very few species are available during other months site was a brown algae namely, Sargassum (Joshi and Murthy, 2004). During June to September tenerrimum. Similar type of report has also been (monsoon season of Gujarat) the wave action is very published by Thakur et al. (2008). high and so the exposure is very less which hampers In conclusion, the Okha Port harbors a the survey work. So, we have selected the three complex variety of seaweeds, many of which have months of winter (December, January and February) been reported from other parts of the Indian coast for this work, which satisfies the preliminary also (Sahoo et al., 2003; Satheesh et al., 2012; condition for the survey. In our study the species Domettila et al., 2013). diversity and abundance of sea weeds were found to be maximum in the month of February in comparison Acknowledgements: to the months of December and January, similar trend One of the authors (J.C.) is grateful to was also noted by previous workers in their study Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra for providing (Thakur et al., 2008) . laboratory facilities and other institutional support.

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