Cyanobacteria of Surface and Ground Waters in Asir Region with New Records to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Cyanobacteria were surveyed in six surface water bodies andsix ground water wells in Asir region, Southwest of Saudi Arabiabetween August and December 2003. A total of 25 cyanobacterialspecies belonging to 16 genera were identified during this study. Mostspecies showed wide range in their distribution among all surface andground water sites. However, three species were recorded in allsurface water sites, but not found in ground water sites. Two specieswere found only in all ground water sites. The results also showed thatsome species were restricted only to a certain site. Compared to theresults of previous studies reported on freshwater cyanobacteria inSaudi Arabia, fifteen cyanobacterial species were identified as newrecords for Saudi Arabia during this study. Because of their ability toproduce toxins, cyanobacteria should be monitored in surface andground waters in Saudi Arabia in order to avoid their harmful effecton plant, animal and human health upon exposure to these waters.