Phykos 44 (1): 9-16 (2014) Diversity of Corticolous algae, Odisha. ©Phycological Society, India 9 Diversity of corticolous algae from Similipal Biosphere reserve, Mayurbhanj, Odisha S. Bhakta, L. Pattanaik, P. Dutta, E. Sahu and A.K. Bastia* P.G. Department of Botany, North Orissa University, Baripada, Mayurbhanj-757003, Odisha *Corresponding author: skmrbhakta@gmail.com; bastianou@gmail.com Abstract Similipal Biosphere Reserve an untapped reservoir of diverse algal resources, is located in the central part of the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha lies between 21° 28” and 22° 08” North latitude and 86° 04” and 86° 37” East longitudes. The present investigation aims to document diverse algal forms collected from tree bark surfaces of different collection sites of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve. A total of 19 species were recorded from 10 sampling sites of Biosphere during the study. Out of these, 18 were cyanobacteria and only one belonging to green algae. The major dominant cyanobacterial taxa were Nostoc (4) followed by Gloeocapsa (2), Chroococcidiopsis (2), Aphanocapsa (2), Phormidium (2), Scytonema (2), Myxosarcina (1), Stigonema (1), Tolypothrix (1), Fischerella (1) and a single species of green algae named Desmococcus olevaceoous were recorded during the study. Key words: Corticolous algae, Diversity, Enumeration, Similipal Biosphere Reserve. Introduction Corticolous algae are inhabitants of the bark of trees from the areas of different altitudes. They occur as dark, gelatinous, red dark or brown patches, streaks or velvet masses. They are exposed to air and absorb water, minerals and other nutrients directly from the atmosphere. Most studies on taxonomy and ecology of aerophytic algae were conducted in temperate regions with great emphasis on those occurring on soil, buildings and monuments (Harload and Schlichting, 1975; Metting, 1981; Starks et al., 1981; Ortega-Calvo et al., 1991; Broady and Ingerfeld, 1993; Flechtner et al., 1998; Salleh and Millow, 1999; Gaylarde and Gaylarde, 1999; Rindi and Guiry, 2003; Rindi et al., 2005; López-Bautista et al., 2006; Uher, 2007; Lemes et al., 2010; Zammit et al., 2011). However, studies on the taxonomy of corticolous sub aerial algae are incomplete and limited due to the lack of exploration and seasonal collection of samples. There are a few workers who have worked on these aspects from different regions of the globe. (Rindi et al., 2006; Neustupa and Škaloud, 2008, 2010; Mikter et al., 2006). There is a marked difference between the sub aerial algal assemblages found in temperate and tropical countries (Islam, 1960). Many aspects of corticolous algae such as habitats, ecology and taxonomy are still poorly understood. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to assess the diversity of corticolous algae from Similipal Biosphere Reserve of Odisha state. Materials and Methods Sampling of corticolous algae A visit was made to Similipal Biosphere Reserve to study the occurrence of sub-areal algal flora occurring on soil crust during May 2013. During field visit observations and collections were done randomly from various sites of Biosphere Reserve (Fig.1). Corticolous algae were collected from the tree barks from different regions of Similipal Biosphere Reserve (Plate-1). All samples were collected in sterile specimen tubes (Tarson) of 25 X 50 mm size using clean sampling bottles, forceps, polythene bags, brush, Petridis, scalpel etc. and brought to the laboratory for further analysis. For preservation the samples were dried and kept in a dark place assigned with a voucher number in P.G. Department of Botany, North Orissa University, Baripada, Mayurbhnaj, Odisha. Micrometry, Photomicrography and Identification Samples are very difficult to identify in their natural form because of the crust or compact association with the tree bark. So these were first soaked with distilled water in petriplates and incubated under white light and the growth was observed under microscope in each at 24h interval. The pH of the soaked water was also recorded in the lab condition. After growth, each filament or colony or a consortia was taken for photomicrography. Two to 3 slides were prepared from each sample and observed under compound microscope, and the characters were enumerated. Photomicrographs were taken using Hund Wetzlar trinocular Compound Microscope with Canon-EOS 550D camera attachment. Micrometry was done using ocular and stage micrometers (Erma, Japan) to determine the cell dimensions. The algal species were identified using the monographs and standard literatures as follows: Geitler (1925), Desikachary (1959), Komárek and Anagnostidis (1999, 2005).