MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS IN STIGEOCLONIUM (CHLOROPHYCEAE) IN POLLUTED WATER
SUSHMA DAS GURU *
Department of Botany, Ranchi Women’s College, Ranchi-834001
RADHA SAHU *
Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi-834008
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This communication gives an illustrated account of morphological variations encountered in the population of Stigeoclonium (S. tenue kuetzing, S. lubricumkuetzing and S. aestivale hazen) inhabiting polluted waters of Ranchi. During the course of investigation we have recorded various deformities, such as unusual branching, chlorosis, variations in chloroplast division in many specimens. The result of cultural experiments reveals that these variations are due to altered physico-chemical qualities of their natural habitat and are not inheritable.
Keywords: Stigeoclonium, Morphological Variations, Pollution.