Phykos 42 (2): 74-79 (2012)
Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore
©Phycological Society, India
Multivariate Analysis for Distribution for Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore
Shankar, P. Hosmani,
Department of Biotechnology, SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore-570012
Email: [email protected]
Abstract:
Distribution of Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore has been discussed. They are one of the best known groups of flagellates
commonly occurring in fresh waters. They serve as indicators of organic pollution. Fifteen species belonging to five genera were recorded in
the lake over a period of one year.(Euglena, Lepocinclis,Phacus, Trachelomonas and Peranema). Multivariate analysis has been applied to
study their diversity. Pearson’s Correlation Matrix, Principal Component Analysis and Bray-Curtis similarity Index have been derived.
Correlations between water temperature and dissolved oxygen were inversely proportional; Chemical Oxygen Demand had a significant role
on the distribution of Euglena elongata. Water temperature had an impact on Lepocinclis fusiformis. Hierarchical associations were
observed between Peranema trichosporium and Phacus tortus. Multivariate analysis serve as important tools in the study of algal
biodiversity and their distribution.
Key Words: Euglena, Phacus, Lepocinclis, Trachelomonas, Peranema, Principal Component Analysis Correlations, BrayCurtis
Introduction
Euglenaceae= “considered as green algae”, serve as
excellent bio-indicators of environmental changes, not
only by their presence or absence, but also by measuring
the cellular changes that occur under differing
environmental conditions. They also serve as a
connecting link between plants and animals.
Euglenophyceae are one of the best known groups of
flagellates commonly found in fresh waters, especially
when it is rich in organic materials. Most forms are
unicellular and produce energy through photosynthesis,
but others feed by phagocytosis. They possess a pellicle
which is composed of proteineceous strips underneath
the cell membrane, supported by dorsal and ventral
microtubules. Among the various genera, only five were
recorded in Karanji Lake. The genus Euglena is
characterized by an elongated cell, with one nucleus
mostly with pigment containing chloroplast, a contractile
vacuole, an eye spot (stigma) and flagella. The genus
Lepocinclis is a more or less ovo-cylindrical, rigid with
spirally striated pellicle, often with a short posterior
spinous projection, discoid chromatophores and marginal
ring shaped paramylum bodies literally disposed without
pyrenoids. Peranema is the genus of the free living
flagellate prostists. They have no chloroplast, but have a
feeding apparatus called”Red Organ”. They lack eye spot
and photoreceptor, but possess the light sensitive protein
Rhodopsin and respond to changes in light with a
characteristic “curling behaviour” .Trachelomonas
possess a shell like covering called lorica of various
shapes. The surface can appear in various dimensions
and colours due to the accumulation of ferric hydroxide
and manganic oxide deposited with the mucilage of the
lorica. There is a gap at the apex of the lorica which has a
collar like appearance. The genus Phacus is a light- green
flagellate which propels themselves by gyrating their
body. They have a single flagellum which is often as
long as the body. The cells are flattened and leaf like.
The presence of rigid pellicle, unlike Euglena; prevents
the elastic metaboly movements seen in other
Euglenoids. Presence of donut-shaped large paramylum
starch storage granules, contractile vacuoles and a stigma
are common.
The diversity and distribution of these flagellates has not
been studied in detail. Since they constitute an important
group of organisms between plants and animals an
attempt has been made to study the factors governing the
growth of Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore,
Karnataka.
Materials and Methods
Karanji Lake (Fig.1) is located in the city of Mysore in
the state of Karnataka, India. Its coordinates are 12018'
10" N, 76040' 25" E, 12.302780N, 76.673610E. The lake
is surrounded by a nature park consisting of a butterfly
park and a walk through aviary which is the biggest
aviary in India. The Regional Museum of Natural History
is located on the banks of this lake. Karanji Lake is 90
hectares with a water spread area of about 55 hectares,
while the foreshore area measures about 35 hectares. The
lake is owned by the Mysore Zoo Authority. Some of the
common migratory birds found here are Grey Pelican,
Painted stork, Ibis, Cormorant, Egret. About 147 bird
species visit this lake. The lake earlier received domestic
sewage from the surrounding residential areas. Plank
tonic algae are seasonally abundant.
74
Phykos 42 (2): 74-79 (2012)
Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore
©Phycological Society, India
Fig. 1. Karanji Lake of Mysore
Biplot (axes F1 and F2: 45.23 %)
10
Obs1
Obs9
COD
Sp2
5
F2 (17.80 %)
Obs6
WT
Sp7
Obs4
Obs2
Obs10
Sp8 Sp12
0
Sp4
Sp5
Sp13
Sp10 Sp3
Sp11TP
Sp9 Sp1
Sp6
CO2
Obs5
N 03 DO
Obs8pH
Obs3
-5
Obs11
Sp14
5
Obs12
Obs7
-10
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
F1 (27.43 %)
The methods for the estimation of physico-chemical
parameters, collection, preservation, identification and
enumeration of Euglenophyceae were done as per the
methods described by Welch (1948), Prescott
(1982),Shaji and Patel(1994), Hegde and Bharathi(1983)
and Hosmani(2008). Enumeration was done following
the method of Lackey (1938) modified by
Saxena(1987).Photo-micrographs were obtained(40 x 10
x) using the Labomed Photographic microscope
equipment after mounting the specimens on a slide with
DPX mount ant. (Plate 1).
Results and Discussion
A total of 15 species of Euglenophyceae were recorded
in Karanji Lake. Euglena were represented by 6 species,
1 species each of Lepocinclis and Peranema, 3 species of
Trachelomonas and 4 species of Phacus over the period
from June 2009 to May 2010.(Table 1) Seven physicochemical parameters related to these groups were also
analysed(Table 2).
Table 1: Distribution of Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore (2009-2010)
Sp1
840
Sp2
420
Sp3
000
Sp4
000
Sp5
000
Sp6
000
Sp7
8400
Sp8
1260
Sp9
840
Sp10
000
Sp11
000
Sp12
840
Sp13
000
Sp14
840
Sp15
840
840
000
420
420
420
000
000
840
000
840
1260
000
840
840
1260
840
000
1260
000
840
000
000
840
000
420
000
420
000
Sep
840
126
0
840
840
000
420
000
840
000
000
1260
000
000
000
1260
1260
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
000
000
840
840
000
420
000
000
000
840
000
420
000
000
000
420
000
000
1260
000
1260
1260
420
420
000
000
000
000
000
000
420
420
1680
1260
420
000
840
000
840
000
1260
420
1680
000
1260
000
840
840
1260
1260
420
420
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
840
000
000
000
000
840
Mar
Apr
840
126
0
126
0
000
840
000
000
168
0
420
126
0
480
126
0
840
000
000
840
000
000
210
0
168
0
000
210
0
168
0
1260
1680
000
1260
1260
1260
1260
000
000
840
000
840
000
840
000
1260
000
840
000
2520
000
2520
840
1260
840
1260
840
840
840
1260
1260
2100
2100
Jun
e
July
Aug
May
1. Euglena acus; 2. E. elongata 3. E. elastica 4. E limnophylia; 5.E. polymorpha 6. E . spirogyra; 7. Lepocinclis fusiformis; 8.
Peranema trichosporum.; 9.Phacus curvicauda; 10. P. caudatus; 11. P. longicauda; 12. P. tortus; 13. Trachelomonas armata; 14. Tr.
euchlora; 15. Tr. hispida;
75
Phykos 42 (2): 74-79 (2012)
Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore
©Phycological Society, India
Table 2: Distribution related Physico-chemical parameters in Karanji Lake of Mysore (2009-2010)
WT
32
31
27
30
32
32
29
32
31
32
32
29
pH
7.6
9.3
8.6
8.5
9.1
8.7
8.7
8.8
7.6
9.3
8.3
9.1
DO
6.9
8.5
13
9.3
7.3
9.8
11
9.2
9.5
9.3
7.3
9.7
COD
32.5
36.0
24.0
31.5
20.0
25.0
16.0
20.3
36.0
24.0
31.5
21.0
N 03
0.01
0.01
0.00
0.01
0.04
0.01
0.05
0.03
0.01
0.03
0.01
0.01
TP
0.17
0.19
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.10
0.20
0.20
0.16
0.14
0.18
0.20
CO2
32
18
00
50
66
09
40
38
19
66
18
52
Fig. 3. Bray-curtis similarity Index for Euglenaceae in Karanji lake
WT=Water temperature0c, DO= Dissolved oxygen; COD=Chemical Oxygen Demand; NO3=Nitrate; TP=Total
Phosphorous; CO2=Carbon dioxide (Mg/L0
Earlier reports on Euglenophyceae were by Burr (1941),
Singh
(1960),
Munnawar(1970),
Safiq-urRehaman(1998) and Hosmani(2008). These authors have
reported that lake waters having high average
concentrations of carbon dioxide are dominated by
Euglenophyceae. Seenayya(1971) is of the opinion that
levels of dissolved oxygen rise when Euglenophyceae
are abundant. Water temperature above 320C and higher
concentrations of Nitrates are effective for the growth of
these forms. There are limitations for such biased
conclusions.
In order to understand the direct or indirect influence of
these factors on Euglenophyceae, the data in Table 1 and
Table 2 were subjected to the Pearson’s Correlation
Matrix and further to the Principal Component Analysis
using the XLSTAT Software. The correlation matrix is
presented in Table 3 and the PCA map in Fig2. The
Pearson’s correlation measures the correlation or strength
of the linear dependence between two variables X and Y
(Distribution of species and their relation to the physicochemical parameters. Once the data is subjected to the
test the data returns values between +1 and -1 inclusive.
1 implies that Y increases as X increases, 0 implies that
there is no linear correlation between the variables and -1
implies that Y decreases as X increases. For -1 and 1, a
linear equation exists that describes the relationship
between X and Y perfectly. The Pearson’s Correlation
Coefficient is typically denoted as “r“. Further a strong
correlation has an r value range between 0.85 to 1 or 0.85 to -1. In a moderate correlation, the r value ranges
from 0.75 to 0.85 or -0.75 to -0.85. In a weak correlation,
one that is not a helpful predictor, r ranges from 0.60 to
0.74 or -0.60 to -0.74. Any other relationship that has a
correlation of r value that is 0.59 and below is not
considered to be a reliable predictor. From Table 3 it was
observed that very few correlations were exhisted. Strong
correlation strength was observed between the species
Trachelomonas euchlora and Trachelomonas hispida and
the r value was 1. This indicates that increase in one
species also increases the other. Moderate correlations
occurred between Euglena limnophylia , Trachelomonas
euchlora and Trachelomonas hispida. Further the
correlation between Euglena elongata and Chemical
Oxygen Demand was also moderate. The r values for
water temperature and Dissolved Oxygen was well
marked (-0.818). This indicates that as water temperature
increases, dissolved oxygen decreases or vice versa. The
correlation between other species and the physicochemical parameters were not considered to be a reliable
predictor. The significance levels were measured up to
0.01% level. These results indicate that Chemical
Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen and Water
temperature are controlling a few species of
Euglenophyceae in Karnaji Lake.
76
Phykos 42 (2): 74-79 (2012)
Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore
©Phycological Society, India
Table: 3. Pearson’s Correlation Matrix for Variables of Karanji Lake (2009-2010
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
WT
pH
DO
COD
NO3 TP
CO2
1
2
-.235 1
3
.484 .136
1
4
.289 .488
.743** 1
5
.536 .193
.514
6
.533 -.193 .740** .585* .440 1
7
.049 -.064 -.211 -.151 -.178 -.252 1
8
.478 -.206 -.133 -.003 .235 .000 .451 1
9
.345 -.343 -.022 .054
-.312 .277 .003 -.041 1
10
.410 -.030 .538
.117
.407 .532 -.320 -.165 -.148 1
11
-.208 -.028 .018
.313
-.065 .093 -.378 -.384 .272
-.191 1
12
.029 .315
.228
.513
.024 .439 .055 -.215 .352
.052
.251
1
13
.246 .220
.622* .759** .328 .447 -.109 .203 .159
.102
.075
.218
1
14
.445 .536
.784** .858** .513 .448 .097 .076 -.080 .300
.032
.452
.603* 1
15
.445 .536
.784** .858** .513 .448 .097 .076 -.080 .300
.032
.452
.603* 1.000** 1
WT
-.470 .285
-.047 .040
pH
.153 -.459 .155
-.067 .168 .153 -.449 .180 .052
.029
-.128 -.458 .390 -.265
-.265 -.076
DO
.213 -.276 -.264 -.309 .061 .044 -.561 .026 .159
.409
.270
-.356 -.818** .156 1
COD -.072 .791** .000
No3
.530
.196
1
-.070 -.163 .361 -.189 -.259 -.411 -.370 .179
.013 -.006
-.144 -.270 -.356
.002 -.313 .289 .080 -.268 -.092 -.375 -.032 .059 .372
-.235 -.524 -.206 -.269 -.295 -.132 -.146 -.295 .269
-.501 .364
-.235 .399 -.007 .004 .627* -.228 .204
-.006 1
.372
.253
1
-.493 -.371 1
-.043 -.254 -.447
-.447 .197
.349 -.086 -.671* 1
.281
.300
.123 -.257 -.169
..358
1
.403 -.343 -.408
618*
.341 1
TP
.381 -.227 .414
.349
.298 .300
Co2
-.059 -.345 .150
-.053 -.027 -.056 .046 .133 -.303 -.303 -.041 -.209 -.012 -.016
-.081
-.016 .245
1. Euglena acus; 2. E. elongata 3. E. elastica 4. E limnophylia; 5.E. polymorpha 6. E . spirogyra; 7. Lepocinclis
fusiformis; 8. Peranema trichosporum.; 9.Phacus curvicauda; 10. P. caudatus; 11. P. longicauda; 12. P. tortus; 13. Trachelomonas
armata; 14. Tr. euchlora; 15. Tr. hispida; WT=Water temperature0c, DO= Dissolved oxygen; COD=Chemical Oxygen Demand;
NO3=Nitrate; TP=Total Phosphorous; CO2=Carbon dioxide (Mg/L0
77
.
Phykos 42 (2): 74-79 (2012)
Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore
©Phycological Society, India
Although the Pearson’s Correlation Matrix indicates
close correlations between certain physico-chemical
parameters and certain species of Euglenophyceae, it
does not provide information of the months during which
these correlations existed. The PCA map (Fig.2)
represents correlations between all the three variables
studied. The bi-plot for the axis X and Y is fairly high
reaching 45.23%. Chemical Oxygen Demand plays an
important role in controlling the growth of Euglena
elongata(sps2) to a greater extent while Peranema
trichosporum(sps 8 ), Phacus tortus(sps 12 ),
Trachelomonas hispida(sps 15 ) were closely related
during the month of September(Obs 4). The same species
were meagrely represented during April (Obs 11). A
positive correlation towards pH, Nitrates, Carbon dioxide
and a negative correlation of Dissolved Oxygen to
Chemical Oxygen Demand was seen during the months
of August,(Obs 3) October(Obs 5), December(Obs 7) and
January(Obs 8). Water temperature is closely related to
Lepocinclis fusiformis during the months of July (Obs 2),
November(Obs 6), February(Obs 9) and March(Obs 10).
Interestingly the month of May(Obs 12) favoured the
appearance of Euglena acus, Euglena elastica, Euglena
limoiphylia, Euglena polymorpha, Euglena spirogyra,
Phacus curvicauda, Phacus caudatus, Phacus
longicauda all favouring the abundance of higher
concentrations of total phosphorous. The study enables
us to understand the distribution of Euglenophyceae in
Karanji Lake and the factors controlling their growth
during various seasons. Secondly
they serve as
indicators of organic pollution and the correlation of
various factors can be helpful in conservation of lake
ecosystems.
The Bray-Curtis (1957 ) similarity index was obtained to
understand the hierarchical similarities between
associations of Euglenophyceae(Fig.3). Hierarchy was
estimated above 96% levels. Peranema trichosporium
and Phacus tortus showed highest similarity. Euglena
acus,
Euglena
polymorpha
associated
with
Trachelomonas hispida were at the next stage. Euglena
elongata and Trachelomonas hispida were at the third
level but at a greater distance. The remaining forms were
below 96% and of lesser significance. Bray-Curtis
similarity index enables to understand the association of
species which will be helpful while isolating required
species.
Conclusion
The impact of certain related physico-chemical
parameters on Euglenophyceae indicates that Chemical
Oxygen Demand plays a key role in the distribution of
Euglenophyceae during the month of April. Total
phosphorous content of water had a major impact and
supported the growth of 9 species during the month of
May. Carbon dioxide, Nitrate, Dissolved Oxygen and pH
had a negative effect. Water temperature was less
significant. Because of the entry of domestic sewage the
lake water concentrates during April and May, thereby
increasing the total phosphorous in the lake. This in turn
favours
abundant
growth
of
Euglenophyceae
.Euglenophyceae serve as powerful indicators of water
quality. The Pearson’s Correlation Matrix and the
Principle Component Analysis and the Bray-Curtis
similarity index serve as important assets in
understanding the distribution of organisms in fresh
water ecosystems and in conservation strategies..
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27:4-7
Hosmani,S.P. 2008.Ecology of Euglenaceae from
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Lackey, J.B. 1938. Public Health Reports 53, 2080-2093
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phytoplankton in the polluted and
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Shafiq-ur-Rehman . 1998. A red bloom of Euglena
shafique, a new species in Dal Lake,
Srinagar, Kashmir. Water, Soil and Air.
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Academic Publishers. Netherlands. 108:69-82.
Shaji,C and R.J. Patel 1994. Phytoplankton ecology of a
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78
Phykos 42 (2): 74-79 (2012)
Euglenophyceae in Karanji Lake of Mysore
©Phycological Society, India
Plate 1.Euglenophyceae of Karanji Lake of Mysore
2
1
3
3
7
7
2
35
3
15
2
11
12
11
6
14
12
8
14
8
5
10
9
13
5
10
9
13
4
4
1. Euglena acus; 2. E. elongata 3. E. elastica 4. E limnophylia; 5.E. polymorpha 6. E . spirogyra;
7. Lepocinclis fusiformis; 8. Peranema trichosporum.; 9.Phacus curvicauda; 10. P. caudatus; 11. P.
longicauda; 12. P. tortus; 13. Trachelomonas armata; 14. Tr. euchlora; 15. Tr. hispida
79