OCCURRENCE OF THE GENUS LOBOPHORA (DICTYOPHYCEAE, PHAEOPHYCOTA) IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF KARACHI

Abstract

Fan-shaped, flabellate and rosette like fronds of a brown alga Lobophora J. Agardh were collected from various coastal areas of Karachi (Pakistan) and taxonomically investigated. This study revealed the presence of two species i.e. L. variegata (Lamouroux) Womersley ex Oliveira and a new species L. prostrata Aisha et Shameel. The black brown coloured specimens of the new species were found prostratly attached with the rocks by their lower surface. They contained a central layer of large rectangular cells in cortical region, peripheral part in the upper surface having small squarish cells but lower surface without any peripheral cells. In lower part of the thallus, each cell produced rhizoidal filaments, which were globular and contained rectangular cells.