Nitella tenuissima (Desvaux) Kützing 1843

Publication Details
Nitella tenuissima (Desvaux) Kützing 1843: 319

Published in: 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.

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Publication date: 14-16 Sep 1843

Type Species
The type species (lectotype) of the genus Nitella is Nitella opaca (C.Agardh ex Bruzelius) C.Agardh.

Status of Name
This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Basionym
Chara tenuissima Desvaux

Type Information
Type locality: Haut-Poitou [Loire, France]; (Desvaux 1809: 313) Neotype: Desvaux?; B; W 17115-015 (Arbeitsgruppe Armleuchteralgen Deutschland 2015: 485) Notes: "Wood (1965: 552) designated as lectotype "Coll.? [Desvaux?] (PC)". The sheet PC 143200, with 4 specimens, exists in the herbarium of Desvaux (PC). One plant was collected by Desvaux but is not N. tenuissima (Gregor et al., 2012). There exists another sheet in PC (PC 143218) which contains, among other taxa, a specimen annotated as "Chara tenuissima Desvaux". This was seen by Wood who noted that this was not N. tenuissima but N. gracilis. As the lectotypification of Wood seems to be erroneous, T. Gregor and U. Raabe selected another specimen as "lectotype" from the Willdenow herbarium in Berlin which was sent from Desvaux to A. Braun. As this specimen is undated it should be better regarded as a neotype." (Schubert & al. 2024).

Origin of Species Name
Adjective (Latin), very fine (Lewis & Short 1890).

General Environment
This is a freshwater species.

Description
The plants are to 10 cm high and often encrusted. In this species the branchlets form compact whorls and this together with the long internodes, gives the algae an appearance of a pearl necklace. The axis is only 300 m in diameter. The branchlets are 2-4 divided and have 2-celled dactyls. The species is monoecious. The gametangia are at the second and the third branchlet furcation. The oogonia are less than 450 m long. The oospore is golden brown and has a strongly reticulate membrane. The antheridium is less than 200 m in diameter.

Habitat
Nitella tenuissima is found in calcareous areas, shallow pools, ponds, peat pits and ditches. The species is easy wiped out of competition from other algae and plants. This has been reported from several localities in Britain (Stewart & Church 1991), and is also the most probable reason for its disappearance in Sweden. The species is annual and is found in shallow waters, to 20-30 cm depth. In the area there is no observation on the fructification of this species. The oospores can survive for many years in the sediment, and than colonize new open areas in the lake if the competing vegetation is removed.

Created: 11 April 2002 by M.D. Guiry.

Last updated: 22 January 2025

Verification of Data
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Distributional note
"Nitella tenuissima is found almost all over Europe, except for Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Estonia and Finland. Whereas this part of the distribution pattern may point to a climatic limitation, the absence in other countries (e.g., Belarus) may be due to other reasons as, e.g., lack of data or lack of suitable habitat. Nitella tenuissima is a rare species irrespective of its apparent wide geographical distribution (for worldwide distribution see Korsch, 2018). Occurrences are concentrated in restricted regions even in countries where it can be found at many sites. It is reported to have a worldwide distribution, but is rare all over its distribution range. However, there are serious doubts about those reports because it never has been found in Australia and at least some specimens from North America are probably misidentifications as revealed by their oospore ornamentation (M. T. Casanova pers. comm.)." (Schubert & al. 2024). - (22 January 2025) - M.D. Guiry

Habitat note
Generally in temporary freshwater wetlands; mud and shallow water (Muller et al., 2017). - (01 November 2017) - G.M. Guiry

Conservational note
"The species is rare throughout its range and several sites have been lost during the last few decades. Most, if not all of these lost sites are ponds and ditches, whereas occur-rences in large lakes are relatively stable. However, the species most frequently is found in small water bodies, so the Europe-wide loss of these habitats is a major threat for the species.Nitellatenuissma is sensitive to both eutrophication and stocking with inappropriate fish species (especially benthic-foraging species) it is one of the species which should be included in species protection programs. Creation of small ponds in its regions of occurrence might help in at least maintaining its European genetic diversity until knowledge about worldwide relationships with other entities identified as the same species are better known." (Schubert & al. 2024). - (22 January 2025) - M.D. Guiry

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=35599

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 22 January 2025. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 06 April 2025

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