Composition, abundance and vertical distribution of phytoplankton and fungi off Krishna and Godavari river mouths, east coast of India

Abstract

Sixty-two species of phytoplankton were enumerated from 9 stations selected in the continental shelf off Krishna and Godavari river mouths, and among these, Bacillariophyceae were more abundant than Dinophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Euglenophyceae and Cyanophyceae. Vertical distribution of phytoplankton varied with maximum densities of diatoms between surface and 50 m, dinoflagellates between surface and 25 m, and Euglenophyeae only at 50 m. Aspergillus, Dreschslera, Fumago and mycelial fragments of Monilia were recorded in the water samples. Vertical distribution of these fungi was different from the planktonic algae with maximum densities between 25 and 75 m.