PLANT SCIENCE TODAY, 2021 Vol 8(4): 885–896 HORIZON https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2021.8.4.1229 e-Publishing Group ISSN 2348-1900 (online) RESEARCH ARTICLE New records of desmids from Ropar wetland (a Ramsar Site) of Punjab, India Komal1, J.I.S. Khattar2, D.P. Singh2 & Yadvinder Singh1* 1Department of Botany and Environmental Science, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib 140 406, Punjab, India 2Department of Botany, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India *Email: [email protected] ARTICLE HISTORY ABSTRACT Received: 24 April 2021 This study deals with exploration of freshwater desmids for the first time from Ropar wetland (Ramsar Accepted: 21 July 2021 site) of Punjab (India) to assess their taxonomic aspects and bio-geographical distribution. During this Available online: 24 August 2021 study, samples of planktonic, epiphytic and epilithic desmids were collected from littoral zone and were observed under light microscope for their morphometric characteristics based identification. Total 21 desmids species belonging to 4 genera of 2 families (Closteriaceae and Desmidiaceae) were KEYWORDS identified from the collected samples. Among them, Cosmarium with 11 species (C. awadhense, C. Closteriaceae bioculatum, C. trilobatum, C. divergens, C. granatum, C. moniliforme, C. nitidulum, C. subtumidum, C. desmid reniforme, C. undulatum and C. obtusatum) was found to be most abundant followed by Closterium India with 7 species (C. acerosum, C. dianae, C. incurvum, C. leibleinii, C. lunula, C. pritchardianum and C. Punjab aciculare), Euastrum with 2 species (E. spinulosum and E. platycerum) and Staurastrum with 1 species Ropar wetland (S. crenulatum). The geographic distribution of identified desmid taxa in India has been also recorded. All the desmid taxa identified during this study are new record for the Punjab state of India. The results of this study provide significant baseline data for the future taxonomic and ecological studies from the similar habitats. Introduction wetlands and can be the key indicators for their ecological conditions (2). Algae often are conspicuous Globally, wetlands are recognized as one of the most feature of both estuarine and freshwater wetlands biologically diverse and unique habitats for various throughout the world (2). On the basis of cell structure plant and animal species (1). Wetlands are also algae are mainly two types: prokaryotic (Blue green considered as important aquatic environments that algae) and eukaryotic (all other algal forms including provides valuable ecosystem services by supporting desmids). Desmids are microscopic, unicellular, high rates of primary production (1, 2). In spite of eukaryotic organism belong to class their importance, most of the world’s wetlands are Zygnematophyceae (Phylum Charophyta) of algae (8- under threat due to the increased human interference 10). The cells of majority of the desmids taxa are including deforestation, change in land use practices, transversally curved by constriction (sinus) into two domestic and industrial pollution etc. in their symmetrical semi-cells connected by an isthmus (8, 9). catchment areas and watershed (1, 3). As a result the The desmids taxa consist symmetrical semi cells and hydrology, hydraulic patterns and geomorphology of isthmus with pores are known as true desmids most of the wetlands have been influenced that (placoderm), whereas smooth walled taxa, without directly impact their biodiversity and other ecosystem pores and a median constriction are termed as false services (1, 2). At the same time, it has been desmids (saccoderm) (11, 12). Desmids are vulnerable recognized that proper protective and conservation groups of aquatic organisms due to their sensitivity to efforts have not been implemented for such important the fluctuations in the environment. Thus, desmids ecosystems due to lack of knowledge about their are increasingly used as bioindicator for the ecological values and benefits (2, 5) Therefore, the monitoring and management of aquatic ecosystems assessment of biodiversity and its role becomes (11, 13-15). Due to this, the taxonomic and floristic important for the better understanding of services and explorations of these organisms become important to functions of wetlands (6, 7). Algae, as main primary understand their complex association with producers, play important role in functions of environment. © Komal et al (2021). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). 886 KOMAL ET AL The diversity of desmids from different regions of main reason behind constructing this wetland was to the world has been explored by many workers (16-27). store and divert water through canals for various In India, many studies have been reported from purposes like irrigation, industrial and drinking water different parts, like from Dehradun (28), Ladakh (29, supply (50, 51). This was considered as Ramsar site in 30), Uttar Pradesh (31), Karnataka (32, 33), year 2002, due to its vital role in providing habitat to Maharashtra (12, 14, 34-39), Western Himalayas (40), number of threatened and endangered species of Himachal Pradesh (41), Eastern Himalaya (42), West plants and animals (50). This area falls under semi- Bengal (43) etc. Although, algal diversity from arid zone and relatively less warm region of Punjab different water bodies of Punjab has been explored by and it receives mean annual rainfall of 1518 mm (52). various workers (44-49) but, according to available This wetland is very significant from ecological, literature, detailed taxonomic studies on desmids are economic and social heritage point of view. It also not been carried out till date leading to a gap in serves as significant staging and latent ground for knowledge about the diversity of this important group migratory water fowl. The major threats for this of algae. Keeping this situation in mind, present study wetland are weed invasion by Parthenium and was undertaken to explore the desmids flora from Lantana, siltation, water pollution through Ropar Wetland of Punjab for the first time. anthropogenic activities and grazing etc. (53, 54). Previous studies from this wetland have reported the declining status of its water quality and ecological Materials and Methods conditions (51-54). These water quality conditions may causes serious alterations in various abiotic and biotic Study Area components of this wetlands. As desmids are considered as good indicator and are sensitive to the Ropar wetland, manmade fresh water wetland, fluctuations in water chemistry of any freshwater situated on river Sutlej at 31°01’N latitude and 76°30’ E ecosystem. Thus, it becomes important to evaluate the longitude in the Shivalik foothills covering an area of diversity of desmids from this wetland that may be 13.65 sq. km (Fig. 1). This wetland came in to existence helpful in future for formulation of any management in 1952 after the construction of water barrage on plan/program for its conservation and rehabilitation. river Sutlej at Ropar (Rupnagar district, Punjab). The Fig. 1. Map showing Ropar Wetland of Punjab, India (a): Satellite view (Source: www.maps.google.com), (b): Field photograph at the time of sample collection. PLANT SCIENCE TODAY 887 Sample Collection and Identification Results Samples of planktonic, epiphytic and epilithic In the present study, a total of 21 desmids taxa desmids were collected from littoral zone of study belonging to 4 genera (Closterium, Cosmarium, area (Fig. 2). Collected samples were preserved in Euastrum and Staurastrum) of 2 families formalin solution (4%) in wide mouth glass bottles (Closteriaceae and Desmidiaceae) have been reported and for further analysis were brought to the Fig. 2. Field photographs showing different algal habitat in littoral zone of the study area. laboratory. The voucher specimens of collected for the first time from Ropar Wetland, Punjab. The samples were assigned with herbarium number microphotographs of studied desmid taxa are given in (WUA) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fig. 3 & Fig. 4. Fatehgarh Sahib (Punjab). The temperature and pH The identification key and detailed taxonomic of water were recorded on the spot with digital descriptions of identified taxa are given below: thermometer (Perfit, India) and digital pH meter (Hanna Instruments, India) at the time of sampling. 1. Cell solitary, small to large …………………..………2,3,5 For the identification of collected material, temporary slides were prepared by mounting 1. Cell solitary………………………………………...…………...4 sample in Glycerin to study the morphometeric 2. Straight, curved, elongate-cylindric to elongate- characteristics using light microscope (Olympus fusiform, tapering at ends, ends acute, rounded or CH20i). The species identification was done truncate, chloroplast two with numerous following standard literatures (55-61) and the pyrenoids………...…………...……………Closterium....6 geographic distribution of identified desmids taxa was analyzed from referred literature. 3. Semicells circular, subcircular, elliptic, reniform, pyramidate, quadrate in apical view, shallow to deep constriction, cell wall smooth, ornamented 888 KOMAL ET AL Fig. 3. Micro-photograph of identified desmid taxa from study area. (a): Closterium acerosum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs;(b): Closterium dianae Ehrenberg ex Ralfs; (c): Closterium