DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF PHYTOPLANKTONS (CHRYSOPHYTA AND PYRROPHYTA) IN THE SOUTHERN CASPIAN SEA

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Sari

Abstract

In regard to study the distribution pattern of phytoplanktons (with emphasize on chrysophyta and pyrrophyta), a series of 4 cruises were carried out seasonlly in 1996. A total of 93 species belong to 2 main phyllums of chrysophyta (mainly diatoms) and pyrrophyta were identified consist of73 and 20 species, respectively. The diatoms have an important role in the whole Caspian Sea from point of species diversity and on the other hand contain the most abundance and biomass in all seasons.
There are two main species of Rhizosolenia calcaravis (belong to chrysophyta) and Exuviealla cordata (from Pyrrophyta) inhabit in the southern Caspian Sea. Comparing the density and biomass of different phyllums of phytoplanktons showed that chrysophyta with 75% and pyrrophyta with 17% are the most abundant phytoplanktons in the said region.

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