Morphological Study of Algal Species from Azad Kashmir Using Microscopic Techniques

Abstract

Algae have been considered as a diversified group of lower plants whose morphological characters have been used for taxonomic identification. In present research, 34 species of algae were morphologically investigated from different sites of Azad Kashmir. Collected species were divided into2 divisions, out of them, 14 species belongs to division Cyanophyta and 20 species belongs to division Chlorophyta. All the algal species reported in present study were identified on the basis of their morphological characters up to specific level with the help of light microscopic techniques. Samples of algae were collected either by pipette or taken in polythene bags. Fresh specimens were observed under light microscope and photomicrographs have been taken. In current study it was also investigated that shape of cells, number of pyramids and the position of cells are the main distinguishing characters that differentiate one genus from other. Based on these micro-morphological characters it is easy for taxonomist to identify complex plants upto their family, genera and specific level.