Haematococcus sp.{TSHERING LHAMO} SHERUBTSE COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT OF ENVRIRONMENTAL AND LIFE SCIENCES, ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF BHUTAN

OBJECTIVES

1. To collect the algal specimen from Kanglung.2. To identify the freshwater algae found in

ponds, ditches, slow streams, pools and stag-nant waters.

3. To develop observation skill.4. To prepare temporary mount.

HABITATThe most typical habitats of Haematococcus aresmall temporary water bodies, such as rain wa-ter pools, in cliffs and rocky shores of lakes andseas. Haematococcus are found in ponds, stagnantwater, slow streams and is found mixed with someother fresh water algae. This specimen is collectedfrom the stagnant water which is located near DH-5 hostel.

RESULTS

Figure 1: Haematococcus sp. single cell with clear haema-tochrome

Figure 2: Haematococcus sp. seen with other diatoms

Figure 3.Non-motile cells, ranging from immature(green) to fully mature cysts filled with red pig-ment (Haematochrome)

Figure 3: Haematococcus sp.seen in colony and presenseof haematochrome

Figure 4: Haematococcus sp. showing presence of haema-tochrome

REFERENCES

[1] OP Sharma. Algae. series on diversity of microbes and cryptogams, 2011.

[2] Felix Eugene Fritsch. The structure and reproduction of the algae. At The University Press; Cambridge, 1948.

[3] FE Fritsch. & 1945 structure and reproduction in algae vol. i& ii, 1935.

[4] FE Fritsch. reprinted 1948. The structure and reproduction of the algae, 1, 1935.

[5] Tracy Elliot Hazen. The life history of sphaerella lacustris (haematococcus pluvialis). Memoirs of the Torrey Botanical Club, 6(3):211–246, 1899.

[6] Edward G Bellinger and David C Sigee. Freshwater algae: identification and use as bioindicators. John Wiley & Sons, 2015.

FUTURE RESEARCHThis project has been done identify fresh wateralgae from Kanglung and provide basic informa-tion to future researchers to help them identify thespecies to generic level.

CONCLUSIONThe algal specimen is collected from the pond wa-ter located nearby DH-5 hostel, which appearedto be mixed with some other algae is identified asHaematococcus, where both green and red coloredspherical non-motile palmelloid / ellipsoidal cellsare seen.

DESCRIPTIONClass: ChlorophyceaeOrder: VolvocalesFamily: SphaerellaceaeGenus: Haematococcus

As per [4].

Haematococcus is unicellular flagella with chloro-plast in the centre of cell and suspended there bystrand of cytoplasm [3]. Cells are solitary, ovoidto ellipsoidal, and chloroplast more or less cup-shaped, sometimes reticulate. Their resting cystsare often responsible for the blood-red colour seenin the bottom of dried out rock pools and birdbaths. This colour is caused by astaxanthin whichis believed to protect the resting cysts from thedetrimental effect of UV-radiation, when exposedto direct sunlight. There is a thick mucilaginouswall and there are often protoplasmic extensionsinto the wide cell wall [6]. Rostafinski concludedthat Haematococcus is an asexual plant [5].

OBSERVATIONThe green pigments in the chloroplast are oftenmasked with red haematochrome so that the cellsappear red. The cells are often noticed in an en-cysted state giving them red color [6].

Figure 5: Haematococcus sp. collection site