Biodiversity of Euglenophyceae in Safilguda Lake, Hyderabad, India

This paper presents a study of Euglenophyceae, in Safilguda Lake. For this purpose, physicochemical parameters were analyzed in water samples obtained from three sampling stations in the lake between May 2017 to April 2018. Statistical tests were used to establish the link between phytoplankton and physico-chemical variables. Multiple regression analysis is one such statistical approach to estimate the impact of physico-chemical variables on the growth, development and distribution of euglenoids. Dissolved oxygen revealed a negative influence on the distribution of Euglenoid flagellates, while organic matter exhibited a positive correlation with Euglenophyceae. Euglena, Phacus, Trachelomonas, and Lepocinclis are the four genera identified in the lake. Among these, Euglena and Phacus showed high species diversity. The high density of euglenoids in the lake indicates eutrophic condition, as euglenoid flagellates serve as good indicators of pollution.