A survey of algae in the phytotelmata of bromeliads.

Date

3-2003

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Macrina T. Zafaralla

Abstract

A study was done to determine the identity species of Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae) and Chlorophyceae (green algae) that inhabited the phytotelmata of Bromeliads, heir temporal occurrence, and the host plants they tend to associate with. There were four phytotelmata-forming vascular plants that served as the trials in the study, namely, Aechmea, Nidularium, Vresia and Neoregelia. A taxonomic description of the algae found was also done. The observation took place within seven months. Water samples were collected aseptically from the tubes formed by the cluster of leaves, placed in sterile vials then immediately examined under a microscope. To a certain that most, if not all species were noted, the gross collections in their respective vials were incubated under continuous light at room temperature for at least seven days, then examined again. A total of 18 algal species were found, 13 of which were cyanophytes and 5 chlorophytes. The time of the highest number of species was in the months of June and August, while the least in the month of October. Solar radiation was high but the amount of rain received was low on the days when the species occurring were most numerous. A total of eight species, namely„ Scponema, Plectonema, Xenococcus, Gloeothece, Chroococcidiopsis„ Stigonenza Protococcus and Chlorococcum occurred in all four hosts. Synechocystis was found in three genera, Aechmea, Neoregelia and Nidularium; Westiellopsis in Vriesia and Aechmea; Synechococcus in Aechmea and Nidularium, Anabaena in Neoregelia and Nidularium, Nostoc in Aechmea and Neoregelza; Physolinum in Vriesia and Nidularium; Pleurocapsa in Neoregelia and Nidularium, Hapalosiphon in Aechmea and Nidularium, and Oedogonium and Gongrosira in Nidularium only. Ten of the cyanophytes and two of the chlorophytes were not identified down to the species level because these did not conform with the descriptions of species found in the available references.

The study was conducted in the Phycology and Ecology Laboratories of the Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, at the University of the Philippines, College, Laguna. All species identifications were verified by Dr. Macrina T. Zafaralla, thesis adviser.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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