Abstract

STUDIES ON BIODIVERSITY OF PHARMACEUTICALLY AND COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT SEAWEEDS OF GRACILARIEACEAE FROM GULF OF MANNAR COASTAL REGIONS, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Nagaraj A., Manivannan M., Nivetha S., Indhumathi K. and Dr. G. Subramanian*

Abstract

Marine Algal seaweeds are found in the coastline between high and low tide, and in the subtidal region up to a depth where 0.01% photosynthetic light is available. Algal seaweeds pigments types and concentrations, light intensity, exposure and depth, temperature, tides and the characteristics of the shore combine to create different environments that determine the distribution and variety of seaweeds. The present study was conducted at Gulf of Mannar coastal regions, Tamil Nadu, India, formed of different inter-tidal rocky shores with rich algal vegetation. A total of 9 species of seaweeds of Gracilariaceae were recorded in this present work. Among them, Gracilaria corticata and Gracilaria pygmaea were present throughout the study period. The Gracilaria fergusonii, Gracilaria foliifera, G.edulis, G.crassa, G. stolonifera, G. idinthakaraiensis and G. rostrata were seasonal dependences.

Keywords: Gracilariaceae, Gracilaria, corticata, pygmaea, fergusonii, foliifera, edulis, crassa, stolonifera, idinthakaraiensis, rostrata.