Botany Research International 2 (3): 198-205, 2009

ISSN 1995-8951
© IDOSI Publications, 2009

Temporal and Spatial Variations in the Structure of

Macroalgal Communities Associated with Mangroves of Pichavaram (South India)

T. Nedumaran and P. Perumal

Center of Advanced Study in Marine Biology,

Annamalai University, Parangipettai-608 502, Tamil Nadu, India
Department of Biotechnology, Periyar University, Salem-636 011, T.N., India

Abstract: Present study was carried out on the distribution pattern of macro algae in Pichavaram mangroves
(South India). From April 2000 to March 2001. Monthly samplings were made and the algae were identified after
collecting them from the stilt roots of Rhizophora mucronata, pneumatophores of Avicennia marina and from
the attachment of jetty pillars. Totally 16 macroalgae were recorded which belongs to the following divisions
viz; Chlorophyta (7): Phaeophyta (2) and Rhodophyta (7). The algal species were found to be abundant during
post monsoon season. Caulerpa sertularioides (Division: Chlorophyta) is recorded for the first time from
this mangroves. Further, the recorded physicochemical parameters were related with the distributional pattern
of algae.

Key words: Distribution % Mangroves % Physico-chemical % Pichavaram % South India

INTRODUCTION Hence, the present investigation is to provide

Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants of tropical and
sub-tropical intertidal regions of the world. They play an
important role in replenishing the fertility of the coastal
regions and thus supporting the coastal inhabitants
socio-economically. The mangrove ecosystem is a
complex and dynamic one. The mangrove community is
not uniform structurally or floristically because of the
number of environmental factors that influence on
individual mangrove species differently. Algae are a
primitive group of plants capable of synthesizing the
complex organic matter. Their distribution in the inter-tidal
area of different and geographical regions of the world
depends on various environmental factors, the major ones
being temperature, light, salinity nutrient and substrate,
[1]. The seaweeds are rich in mangrove habitats with
most species directly attaching with the aerial roots of
mangroves.
The marine algae constitute an important
component of the complex food web in the mangrove
ecosystem [2-3]. The ecology of algae salt marsh and
mangrove swamps have been studied in foreign countries
[4-9]. However, very little information is available on the
ecology of marine algae from mangrove ecosystems in
India [10-12].
information about the temporal and spatial variation of
the species composition and the vertical distribution of
mangrove macroalgal communities assessing the changes
in some environmental factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
For the present investigation two stations were
(station-I and station II) located in the Pichavaram
mangroves (Lat 11°21N: Long 79°50,E] is situated along
the south east coast of India about 230 km south of
Chennai in Tamil Nadu (Fig.1). It is spread over an area of
about 1,100 hectare consisting of 51 islets, ranging in size
from 10m2 to 2km2. About 50% of total area is covered by
the forest, 40% by water ways and the remaining filled by
sand and mud flats [13]. It lies in between the Vellar and
Coleroon estuarine system maximum depth in the
mangrove area is approximately 3m and minimum being
30-50 cm. The tidal amplitude range between 0.15m
and 10m and samplings were made from April-2000 to
march 2001. To estimate the physico and chemical
characteristics- the surface water sample was collected
monthly in a plastic container. Temperature, Salinity, pH,
dissolved oxygen and nutrients such as nitrate, nitrite,
phosphate and silicate were estimated by adopting
standard procedures [14].

Corresponding Author: P. Perumal, Department of Biotechnology, Periyar University, Salem-636 011, TN, India
198
 Bot. Res. Intl., 2 (3): 198-205, 2009
Fig. 1: Map sowing the study area
The collection of algae was made by using a small
forceps and knife, At first, a place rich in algal community
was selected in the biotope where Rizophora mucronata,
Avichmea officinalis and Avicennia marina were thin in
population. The collected samples were washed in clean
estuarine water in the laboratory and preserved in 5%
formalin for the identification later by referring to standard
keys given by F.E. Fritch [15-18]. The Checklist of Indian
marine algae published by Krishnamurthy and Joshi [19].
CMFRI Bulletin, Vol. 41, 1992) was followed in listing them
systematically.
RESULTS
Monthly rainfall values (mm) varied from
10.00 (pre-monsoon) the 297.5 (mm) summer No rainfall
was recorded during Feb and March. Atmospheric
temperature (°C) ranged between 28 to 38 at station 1 and
28 to 36.5 at station-2 (Fig.2) surface water temperature
(°C) varied from 27.5 to 36 at station -1 and from 26.5 to
36.5 at station 2 (Fig.3). Salinity showed wide variations
and fluctuated from 8 to 33% at station 1and 4 to 25% at
station-2 (Fig. 4). The pH ranged between 7.2 and 8.0 at
station -1 and 7.1 and 8.2 at Station 2 (Fig. 5). Dissolved
oxygen concentration (ml/1) varied from 2.5 to 5.0 at
station I and 2.6 to 4.8 at station-2 (Fig 6) with the
maximum during the monsoon season and the minimum
199
concentration during the post monsoon season at the
both stations.
In the case of nutrients, the ranges (µM) of nitrate
and nitrite were: 28.5 - 9.5 at station - 1 and 30.6 - 9.5 at
station.-2, 1.0 - 5.7 at station 1, 2 - 5.9 at station 2
respectively. The concentration ranges of phosphate
and silicate were; 0.7 - 2.1 in station-1 and 0.7 - 2.3 in
station -2; 22.1 - 83 in station-1; 22.7-88.5 in station-2
respectively (Fig. 7-10); At both the stations, all nutrients
were high in monsoon season and low in nitrate summer
season at both stations.
Algal Distribution: Presently a total of 16 species
(of the 10 genera) of macro algae belonging to the
following divisions have been recorded: Chlorophyta
(7) Phaeophyta (2) and Rhodophyta (7) (Table 1). At
station-1, 3-ChIorophyta, 2-Phaeophyta, 7-Rhodophyta
and station, 2: 6-Chlorophyta. 2-Phaeophyta and 2-
Rhodophyta were recorded. This list includes only those
algae growing on the mangroves of pneumatophores and
stilt roots of both the stations but Chladophora has
scattered distribution on the muddy substratum and Jetty
pillars. The genera are listed here systematically with in
each algal division and the following information is given,
while the number of algae recorded in the Pichavaram
mangroves will undoubtedly increase with more extensive
collection. The alga Caulerpa sterculoides (Chlorophyta
Division) was first recorded in these mangroves.
 Bot. Res. Intl., 2 (3): 198-205, 2009

40 Station -1 Station -2

Atmospheric temperature
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

ne
y

ly

g.

De v.

b
t.
pt.
ril

h
Ma

Oc

1
.
Ju

Fe
No

arc
Ap

Au

n-0
Ju

Se

ce

M
Ja
Month (2000-2001)

Fig. 2: Seasonal Variation in Atmospheric temperature during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

Station -1 Station -2
40
S.W. Temp.

30
20
10
0
ay

ly
ne

ct.

ch
b
g.
pt.

01
ril

De v.

Ja .

Fe
Ju

m
Ap

No
Au
M

O
Ju

ar
Se

n-
ce

Month (2000-2001) M

Fig. 3: Seasonal changes in Surface Water temperature during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

Station 1 Station 2

35

30

25
Salinity (‰)

20
15

10

0
ay

ly

v.

b.

.
c.
ct
ne

g.

p.

01

ar
00

Ju

No

De

Fe
M

Au

O
Se
Ju

M
n.
20

Ja
r.
Ap

Month (2000-2001)

Fig. 4: Seasonal changes in Salinity during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

Station 1 Station 2
8.4
8.2
8
7.8
7.6
pH

7.4
7.2
7
6.8
6.6
6.4
.
ct
ay

.
p.

b.
g.
ne

ly

.
ov

ec

ar
01
00

Ju

Au

O
Se

Fe
M

Ju

M
N

n.
20

Ja
r.
Ap

Month (2000-2001)

Fig. 5: Seasonal changes in pH during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

200
 BRI

Station 1 Station 2
8

Dissolved Oxygen (ml/l)

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

.
.

.
ly

b.
ov
ay

ct

01
g.
ne

ec
p.

.
0

ar
Ju

Fe
Au

O
00

Se
M

D
Ju

M
n.
.2

Ja
pr
A

Month (2000-2001)

Fig. 6: Seasonal changes in dissolved oxygen during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

Station 1 Station 2

35
30
25
Nitrate (µM)

20
15
10
5
0
.

.
ly

v.

b.
ay

ct
ne

ec
p.

.
0

g.

01

ar
No
Ju

Fe
00

O
Au

Se
M

D
Ju

M
n.
.2

Ja
pr
A

Month (2000-2001)

Fig. 7: Seasonal changes in Nitrate during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

Station 1 Station 2
7

5
Nitrite (µM)

0
ly

.
ay

.
v.

b.
ct
g.
ne

ec
p.

.
01

ar
Ju
0

No

Fe
M

Au

O
Se
00

D
Ju

M
n.
.2

Ja
pr
A

Month (2000-2001)

Fig. 8: Seasonal changes in Nitrite during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

Station 1 Station 2

2.5

2
Phosphate (µM)

1.5

0.5

0
.
ly

.
ay

ct
ne

p.

c.

01

.
ov

b.
g.

ar
00

Ju

De
O
Au

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M

Ju

M
N

n.
20

Ja
r.
Ap

Month (2000-2001)

Fig. 9: Seasonal changes in phosphate during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

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 Bot. Res. Intl., 2 (3): 198-205, 2009

Statio n 1 S t a t io n 2
100
90
Silicate (µM) 80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

.
ly

b.
.

01
ay

g.
ne

p.
00

.
ov
ct

ec

ar
Ju

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Fe
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20

Ju

M
n.
Ja
r.
Ap

M o n th ( 2 0 0 0 - 2 0 0 1 )

Fig. 10 Seasonal changes in Silicate during April 2000 to March 2001 at Stations 1 and 2

Table 1: Check list of algae of Pichavaram mangroves (April 2000 to March 2001)
S.No Name of the Species Station 1 Station 2
Chlorophyta
1. Enteromorpha clathrata (Roth) Grevi - +
2. E. compressa (Linn) Grevi + +
3. Chaetomorpha aerea kute - +
4. C. linum kutz + +
5. C. crassa Kutz - +
6. Cladophora glomerata (Linn.) Kutz - +
7. Caulerpa sertularioides (Gmelin) Howe + -
Phaeophyta
8. Padina gymnospora (kutez) + +
9. Rosenvingea intrica (J. Ag) Boer ges, + +
Rhodophyta
10 Hypnea cornuta (kutz) J. agardh + -
11 H. musci formis (wulf) Lamour + +
12 Spyridia fusiformis Boerges + -
13 Caloglossa leprieurii (mont) J. ag. + -
14 Polysiphonia platycarpa. Boerges + +
15 Bostrychia raticans (Vahi) J. ag + -
16 Gracilaria frolifera (forssk) Boerges + -

Division Genus: Enteromorpha

Chlorophyta: The chlorophyta is not generally Species: E. clathrata (Roth) J.Agardh
thought of as being typical of mangrove communities E. compressa (Linn) Grev
though several green algae (Order-Ulvales) are Order: Cladophorales
distributed widely in Indian mangroves. Neither of Family: Cladophoraceae
those genera were collected at any of the localities in Genus: Chaetomorpha
Pichavaram, Fine filamentous green algae in the genera Species: C. crassa (C.Ag.) kutz.
Chaetomorpha and Enteromorpha are ubiquitous in salt C linum (O.F.Muller) Kutz.
marsh and mangroves and these genera were represented C. aerea (Dillwyn) Kutz.
at most localities on the mud surface though never Genus: Cladophora
abundant. Species: C.glomerata (Linn.) Kutz.

Division: Chlorophyta Order: Cauler pales

Class: Chlorophyceae Family: Caulerpaceae
Order: Ulvales Genus: Caulerpa
Family: Ulvaceae Species: C.sertularioides (Gmelin). Howe.

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 Bot. Res. Intl., 2 (3): 198-205, 2009

Division DISCUSSION
Phaeophyta: The brown algae are distinguished by their
colour which various from olive green through light Physico-chemical parameters such as, temperature,
golden to a deep shade of brown. Motile reproductive salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and nutrients were showed
cells are commonly found in the brown algae. Most of the distinct seasonal variations in this study. The bulk of
brown algae, which are recorded as growing with rain fall was obtained during the north east monsoon and
mangroves, are also found in adjacent communities. the pattern of rainfall influenced the physico-chemical
and biological characters of the study area. The recorded
Division: Phaeophyta high temperature during summer at both the stations
Class: Phaeophyceae could be attributed to high solar radiation. The
Order: Dictyotales monsoonal low temperature could be due to strong land
Family: Dictyotaceae sea breeze, rainfall and cloudy sky. The high salinity
Genus: Padina values noticed during the summer season could be due to
Species: P.gymnospora (Kutz.) Vickers. the high solar radiation and neritic water dominance [13].
The pH was low during monsoon season due to the
Order: Dictyosiphonales influence of fresh water; reduction of salinity and
Family: Punctariaceae decomposition of organic mater during pre-monsoon
Genus: Rosenvingea season pH was high because of the uptake of CO2 by
Species: R. intricata (J. Ag.) Boerges. phytoplankton. Similar observations were made earlier by
[20]. The high dissolved oxygen concentration was due to
Division the algal photosynthesis.
Rhodophyta: The algae commonly regarded typical of
Inorganic nutrient concentration was always higher
mangrove communities are all members of this division.
during monsoon season due to heavy rainfall, land
The genera recorded here are mostly fine algae and slarger
drainage and input of fertilizer from the catchment areas
folios species are not represented. The marine forms are
and was low during other months due to their utilization
recognized by their bright pink colour caused by the bile
by phytoplankton and macro algae [21]. Marine algae in
protein pigments, r-phycoerythrin and r-phycocyanin.
Pichavaram mangroves have received little attention from
physiologists and therefore it is more obligatory to make
Division: Rhodophyta
at least a maiden attempt to explore and explain the
Class: Rhodophyceae
available marine algae of this area. Further, studies on
Sub-class: Florideae
algae associated with mangrove are very limited in India.
Order : Gigartinales
Hence the present investigation would throw some light
Family: Hypneaceae
on the marine algal flora found in these mangroves in
Genus: Hypnea
Species: H.musciformis (wulf.) Lamour relation to their seasonal occurrence and distribution.
H. cornuta (Kutz.) J.Agardh. In general, the mangrove environment is
Family: Gracilariaceae unfavourable for the growth of many macro algae
Genus: Gracilaria because of lack of suitable substratum. The substratum
Species: G. folifera (Forssk.) Boergs is unsteady and muddy. The mud in suspension will
Order: Ceramiales cause more turbidity, thereby reducing light
Family: Ceramiaceae penetration in to the water column and thus affecting the
Genus: Spyridia growth of seaweeds. Furthermore, there is always some
Species: S. fusiformis Boergs. physiological stress on these algae due to fluctuating
Family: Delesseriaceae salinity, as the mangrove environment is bathed between
Genus: Caloglossa seawater and fresh water. However, some red algae
Species: C. leprieurii (Mont.) J.Ag. belonging to the genera: Bostrychia, Caloglossa. Hypnea
Genus: Bostrychia and Gracilaria constitute the unique algal vegetation of
Species: B.radicans Mont. this environment; sometimes thick carpets of green algae
Genus: Polysiphonia like Enteromorpha and Cladophora grow on the
Species: P.platycarpa Boergs. mangrove mud under the shade provided by mangrove

203
 Bot. Res. Intl., 2 (3): 198-205, 2009
canopy. But poor growth of such algae is a common
feature in the interior mangrove areas because of very
heavy shading of the mangrove thickets and relative
stagnation of water.
Earlier reports suggest that the surface water
temperature is found to be one of the important physical
factors influencing seaweed growth and its abundance.
The present study also supports this views the surface
water temperature showed negative correlation with
species composition at station-1. This indicates that
higher temperature decreases the species composition
due to increased salinity, which might have affected the
growth or bleaching of the algae to the disappearance
of the algae in summer season. This observation is in
close conformity with that of Pichavaram [12],
Muttukadu [22-23] and Vooloowarc Bay [9].
In general, higher number of species composition
and distribution of seaweeds were recorded at both
the stations during pre-monsoon season. This could be
due to the favourable physico-chemical parameters
during that period reported in Waghotana estuary
[24] and Mandapam regions [25]. Algae such as
Bostrychia radicans and Caloglossa leprieuri
occurring on the roots of Rhizophora species and
Avicennia are found distributed throughout the year at
station-I. Enteromorpha and Chaetomorpha common
feature of the distributions throughout the study period
by showing tolerance to fluctuating salinities. Scattered
distribution of Cladophora glomarata is found near
the freshwater regions of the mangroves (Station-2).
Enteromorpha species are uprooted and enter the
mangrove area.
Hence, it is necessary to document the biodiversity
of seaweed resources in the mangrove ecosystems.
A number of algae from mangrove habitats have potential
commercial value. For example, the red alga, Gracilaria
changii from malaysion mangrove habitats is an excellent
source of agars and the agar content is between 12 and
25% of its dry weight [24]. Monostroma axyspermum,
Catenella impudica and Caloglossa lepriurii are all
edible food resources. The latter two species are also
potential sources of dyes. Caulerpa sp. has yielded
bioactive substances that may hold promise as
pharmaceutical agents. This study is highlighted the
variability of mangrove macroalgae in Pichavaram and
suggested some factors that may affect distribution and
abundance such variation however, typical of other
marine and estuarine environments has shown with
intertidal algae on rocky shores.
204
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are grateful to the Director, CAS in Marine
Biology, Parangipettai, for providing Laboratory facilities.
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