Fresh-water Algae Occurred in Paddy Rice Fields I. Regional Distribution

A survey on nation-wide distribution of fresh-water algae occurring in paddy rice fields was conducted in 1991. The algae which were collected from the whole nation were classified into a total of 54 genera including 14 genera in the blue-green algae. 29 genera in the green algae, 1 genus in the stoneworts. 3 genera in the euglenoids and 7 genera in the diatoms. The green algae and diatoms occurring in plain regions were diverse in terms of the number of genera distributed, whereas there was no regional difference in diversity of the blue-green algae and the euglenoids. Among the green algae, the suspended unicellular algae such as the genera, Chlamydomonas, Pandorina and Gonium, were widespread in plain regions, but the multicellular algae such as the genera, Spirogyra, Oedogonium, Ulothrix and Hydordictyon, were major in mountainous and attitudinal regions. The filamentous green algae such as the genera. Cladophora and Rhizoclonium, were dominant in reclaimed saline fields. The blue-green algae Oscillatoria spp. and the diatoms Navicula spp. were abundant in soil flakes.