New Records of Euglena acus (O.F. Müll.) Ehr. and Phacus acuminatus (A. Stokes) Huber-Pestalozzi of Euglenineae from Hooghly District, West Bengal

Algal samples were collected from pond and canal waters of Hooghly district of West Bengal for characterization and identification. A total number of two Euglenophycean taxa namely Euglena acus (O.F. Mull.) Ehr. and Phacus acuminatus (A. Stokes) Huber-Pestalozzi belonging to the genera Euglena Ehr. and Phacus Durjardin respectively under the order Euglenales of Euglenineae from Hooghly district, West Bengal, India had been morpho-taxonomically described with ecological note and significance. Identification of various taxa was done following the authentic literatures. The physico-chemical parameters pertaining to algal growth in different water bodies were recorded. The temperature of the water bodies of Hooghly district varied between 25C and 30C which favors the growth of freshwater algae in these water bodies. Other physico-chemical parameters such as pH, DO, phosphate, nitrate, BOD and total hardness were found to be congenial for the luxuriant growth of both the algal genera. Based on morpho-taxonomic description, the present study indicates new records of two species namely Euglena acus (O.F. Mull.) Ehr. and Phacus acuminatus (A. Stokes) Huber-Pestalozzi belonging to the genera Euglena Ehr. and Phacus Durjardin respectively under the order Euglenales of Euglenineae from Hooghly district, West Bengal which are new records of the said district. Both the genera are most important single-celled, flagellated, bright green euglenoids. Euglena Ehr. is elongated and acicular with gradually pointed short tail whereas, Phacus Durjardin is oval-shaped with short bent, spine-like tail. Both Euglena and Phacus are planktonic in nature and are generally found in summer season.