Contents: Preface. Abstract. 1. Introduction. 2. Review of literature. 3. Materials and methods. 4. General characters of the group. 5. Taxonomy: i. Genus Mougeotia. ii. Genus sirocladium Randhawa. iii. Genus sirogonium kuetzing. iv. Genus spirogyra link. v. Genus zygnema Agardh. vi. Genus zygnemopsis (skuja) transeau. vii. Genus zygogonium kuetzing. Discussion. General ecology. General conclusion and recommendations. References. Latin diagnosis of new species/varieties/formae. Subject index. Author index.

"This monograph covers a comprehensive review of Indian works on Zygnemataceae updating the list of new taxa described so far, record of originally described species from Indian habitats and addition of taxa to Indian algae. Abnormal behaviour during conjugation, plasticity related to taxonomy, co-existing species and species complex find a place in the review. The taxonomic part includes the descriptions of 127 taxa (with illustrations) under 7 genera, their distribution in India and abroad and a dichotomous key to them. Of these, 44 taxa (18 species, 16 varieties, 10 formae) are new to science. A numerical approach to find out affinities in some taxa of Spirogyra on the basis of their conventional key characters was attempted. A discussion of taxonomy and ecology of the group was followed with general conclusion and recommendations." (jacket)