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Abstract

Algae are simplest and chlorophyll bearing organism and not differentiated into true leaves, stems and roots. Algae habitat is fresh water. Algae have pivotal role on earth. They are primary producers and form strong food chains mostly in aquatic environment. It constitute important group, so it was desired to work out the freshwater algae of District Peshawar. In the research area total of 13 genera with 51 species of algae found in District Peshawar which belong to Chlorophyta (64%), Cyanophyta (18%), Xanthophyta (2%), Charophyta 6 % and Chrysophyta (10%) were identified and properly key referenced. The frequent genus in term of species was Spirogyra with 11 species (22%), Oscillatoria with 9 species (18%), Chara, Zygnema and Nitzschia have 3 species each 6 %, Cladophora with 7 species (14%), Closterium with 5 specie (10%), Ulotehrix with 4 species (8 %), Rhizoclonium with 2 species (4%), Vachoria, Mougeotia, Ophiocytium and Dinobryon have 1 spp. (2%). The present study will help to know the ecological distribution of fresh water algae in Peshawar.
Keywords: Chlorophyceae; Charophyceae; Cyanophyceae; Chrysophyceae; Xanthophyceae
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2016.50117