Conferva catenata Linnaeus 1753
Publication Details
Conferva catenata Linnaeus 1753: 1166
Published in: Linnaeus, C. (1753). Species plantarum, exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas. Vol. 2 pp. [i], 561-1200, [1-30, index], [i, err.]. Holmiae [Stockholm]: Impensis Laurentii Salvii.
Publication date: 1 May 1753
Original description: 
Type Species
The type species (lectotype) of the genus Conferva is Conferva rupestris Linnaeus.
Status of Name
This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Cladophora fuliginosa Kützing.
Source of Synonymy
Kützing, F.T. (1843). Phycologia generalis oder Anatomie, Physiologie und Systemkunde der Tange. Mit 80 farbig gedruckten Tafeln, gezeichnet und gravirt vom Verfasser. pp. [part 1]: [i]-xxxii, [1]-142, [part 2:] 143-458, 1, err.], pls 1-80. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus.
Type Information
Syntype localities: "in mari Europam australem et Americam meridionalem"; Type: herb. Dillenius, OXF;
Origin of Species Name
Adjective (Latin), chained, chain-like (Stearn 1983).
General Environment
This is a marine species.
Created: 08 May 1999 by M.D. Guiry.
Last updated: 22 November 2015
Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.
Nomenclatural note
"On the basis of the study of the type of Conferva catenata Linnaeus, Hoek (1969: 134) concluded that the species belonged to Cladophora, but erroneously thinking that Kützing (1843: 271) had made a new combination based on Conferva catenata Linnaeus. Therefore, Hoek (1969: 134) cited the species as Cladophora catenata (Linnaeus) Kützing. Kützing (op. cit.) however, actually cited Conferva catenata C. Agardh (1824: 119) and not Conferva catenata Linnaeus (1753: 1166). C. Agardh (1824: 119), when publishing Conferva catenata, included Conferva catenata Linnaeus followed by a question mark. However, according to Art. 52.2, Note 1 and Ex. 13 of ICN (Melbourne Code, McNeill et al., 2012), the inclusion of a name with an expression of doubt such as a question mark, does not make Conferva catenata C. Agardh nomenclaturally superfluous. Therefore, both Conferva catenata Linnaeus and Conferva catenata are validly published (Art. 6.2 of ICN). Nevertheless, Conferva catenata is a later homonym of Conferva catenata Linnaeus and thus illegitimate (Art. 53.1 of ICN). Consequently, because the name Cladophora catenata Kützing (1843: 271) is based on the illegitimate Conferva catenata C. Agardh, it should be treated as a replacement name according to Art. 58 of ICN (nomen novum, see entry in INA, 2014) and should be attributed only to Kützing." (Cormaci, Furnari & Alongi 2014: 327-8).
Cormaci, Furnari & Alongi (2014: 328) further comment: "Hauck (1884: 450 and 451) cited both Cladophora catenata Kützing (in the synonymy of Cladophora prolifera) and Cladophora catenata (C. Agardh) Hauck (as a distinct species), from the Adriatic Sea. Because C. Agardh's basionym (Conferva catenata) is illegitimate (see above), the name Cladophora catenata (C. Agardh) Hauck also should be treated as a replacement name (nomen novum) and attributed only to Hauck (as done by Silva in INA). Cladophora catenata Hauck, however, is a later homonym of Cladophora catenata Kützing and thus is illegitimate. Pending further study both Cladophora catenata Kützing and Cladophora catenata Hauck nom. illeg. are considered taxa inquirenda. Thus, contrary to what stated by Hoek (1969: 134) Conferva catenata Linnaeus was never transferred to the genus Cladophora. Due to the existence of Cladophora catenata Kützing (1843), the epithet catenata in the genus Cladophorais [is] not available for the species name Conferva catenata Linnaeus. Hoek (1969: 135), however, demonstrated that Cladophora fuliginosa Kützing is conspecific with Conferva catenata Linnaeus. Consequently, the epithet fuliginosa represents the earliest available specific epithet for Linneaean species in the genus Cladophora. In conclusion, the correct name of Conferva catenata Linnaeus in the genus Cladophora is Cladophora fuliginosa Kützing. This species, according to Hoek (1969: 135-136), doesn't occur in the Mediterranean Sea and it is here considered a taxon excludendum. - (22 July 2015) - M.D. Guiry
Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=18432
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 22 November 2015. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 14 March 2025
