Oospore Features among Morphologically Similar and Closely Related Charophyte Species: Consistency and Variability

Milovanović, Vanja; Popović, Slađana; Predojević, Dragana; Simić, Gordana Subakov; Ržaničanin, Ana; Sekulić, Jasmina Šinžar; Trbojević, Ivana

doi:10.5252/cryptogamie-algologie2022v43a12

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The environments colonized not only affected population dynamics and persistence, but also the vegetative structures [14] of the two species occurring in both rivers and ponds, where C. gymnophylla and C. vulgaris occurred with different morphotypes. The size of gametangia, especially oosporangia, does not appear to vary in relation to the colonized environment, although variations in oospores have recently been reported by Milovanović et al [38] for C. globularis populations growing in different sites in continental Europe, characterized by different water chemistries and stabilities. In this context, the intraspecific differentiation of both C. gymnophylla and C. vulgaris into different morphotypes, as well as the clear-cut separation between the species is remarkable, considering the long-standing debate on the validity of the former as a taxonomical entity distinguished from the latter [16,45].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Samples from each population were transported to the laboratory in plastic buckets with their own water and processed for further analyses within one day from collection. Morphological characteristics were employed as diagnostic features for stonewort identification at the species level [19,38], the classification of which relied on the dichotomous keys of Bazzichelli and Abdelahad [45] and Urbaniak and G ąbka [46], and on the current nomenclature reported in AlgaeBase [16] and in the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families [47]. Morphological analyses were performed through image analysis, using ImageJ 1.8.0 software, on 5 thalli per population, fixed and preserved in formalin-acetic acid-alcohol (FAA) solution at 4 °C [48] in line with similar studies [4,14].…”

Section: Algae Identification and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since environmental factors (particularly water physico-chemical characteristics [28]) have a considerable impact on both the distribution and morphological traits of charophytes [3,4,34,38], this study aimed to improve our knowledge about the occurrence, distribution, and ecology of charophytes in the Mediterranean area, focusing on the "Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni" National Park (Province of Salerno, southern Italy). In particular, the morphological, biochemical, and ecological characteristics of each population were investigated and related to the geographical, hydrogeological, and geochemical characteristics of their finding sites, being used to define the ecological niche of each species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, the morphological, biochemical, and ecological characteristics of each population were investigated and related to the geographical, hydrogeological, and geochemical characteristics of their finding sites, being used to define the ecological niche of each species. The relationships among charophytes occurrence, distribution, and ecology not only contribute to establishing how species traits are shaped by environmental characteristics [38], pivotal in a conservation context [7], but are also useful in modeling [9] the temporal changes in the distribution of these priority species [3]. In turn, a better understanding of these topics has relevance for the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biodiversity, Ecology and Distribution of Mediterranean Charophytes in Southern Italy

Bellino,

Baldantoni

2023

Plants

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Charophytes are amongst the most endangered primary producers in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. In spite of the extensive research on the group and its ecological and conservational relevance, scarce information is available on Mediterranean environments, especially rivers and small water reservoirs, where charophytes face challenging summer droughts and changes in hydrological regimes, as well as pervasive anthropogenic pressures. This research aimed, through repeated field observations, detailed analyses of population traits, and extensive characterization of the colonized environments, to foster an understanding of the distribution, biodiversity, and ecology of charophytes in an area of exceptional environmental value and that is still uninvestigated in relation to its charophyte flora, the southern Campania region (Italy). Overall, 17 populations were discovered, belonging to 4 taxa of the Chara genus: C. globularis, C. gymnophylla, C. vulgaris, and C. vulgaris var. papillata, reduced to 12 populations and to the first 3 taxa by the end of the study. The species occupied different ecological niches and colonized environments such as rivers and small ponds, with environment-dependent morphotypes. The occurrence of few taxa with a wide distribution, often forming ephemeral populations, suggests ongoing constraints on charophyte biodiversity in the area, favoring opportunistic species that are able to benefit from temporary refugia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%