Morpho-anatomical characters of family Oscillatoriaceae (algae) identified using primitive (LM) and advance technique (SEM) from Punjab, Pakistan.

In this study, 34 species belonging to the class Nostocophyceae order Nostocales and family Oscillatoriaceae were identified based on light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All species belong to nine genera of which two species belong to Arthrospira, six species to Lyngbya, ten species belongs to Oscillatoria, six species belong to Spirulina, seven species to Phormidium, three species to Microcoleus. The morpho-anatomical characters were identified among different species using LM and SEM. These studies highlighted that north-eastern area of Punjab was blessed with the diversity of algae. These outcomes also indicated that for internal examination along with LM, SEM was necessary for correct identification of algal sample up to specie level. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The different Oscillatoria species abundance in waste-water of four different areas. The sampling was carried out randomly in different seasons from the water bodies especially from waste-water. The morpho-anatomical characters were recognized using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty-four species belonging to the class Nostocophyceae order Nostocales and family Oscillatoriaceae were identified based on LM and SEM.