A Checklist Of Desmids In Nigeria

Abstract

The paper presents a checklist of diversity and distribution of desmid flora in Nigeria. Samples of desmids were collected by means of 55-micrometer mesh plankton net from different locations. There was a high diversity of desmids. A total of 478 taxa are listed in this report. These are categorized into 27 genera, 273 species, 176 varieties and 29 forma. Five of the genera belong to saccoderm desmids while 22 are placoderm desmids. Of all the genera, Cosmarium was dominant with 91 taxa, followed by Closterium with 84 taxa and Staurastrum with 83 taxa. The cosmopolitan taxa were Closterium lunula, Cl. setaceum, Cosmarium monodii, Desmidium swartzii and Pleurotaenium trabecula.

Keywords: Taxonomy, desmids, phytogeography, tropics.


(Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2002 8(2): 223-238)