Chara stelligera A.Bauer ex Reichenbach 1829

Publication Details
Chara stelligera A.Bauer ex Reichenbach 1829: 1595

Published in: Reichenbach, H.G.L. (1829). Dr. Joh. Christ. Mössler's Handbuch der Gewächskunde, enthaltend eine Flora von Deutschland mit hinzufügung der wichtigsten ausländischen Cultur-Pflanzen. Zweite Auflage, gänzlich umgearbeitet in dirch die Neusten entdeckungen vermehrt. Dritter Band Phanerogamia Moecioa un Dioecia, nebst Natrag und algemeinem Register. pp. [1]-xxxiv, [1583]-1963, Druckfehler [3]. Altona: bei Johann Friedrich Hammerich.

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Publication date: 1829

Type Species
The type species (lectotype) of the genus Chara is Chara vulgaris Linnaeus.

Status of Name
This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Nitellopsis obtusa (Desvaux) J.Groves.

Source of Synonymy
Pall, K., Kabus, T. & Schubert, H. (2024). Nitellopsis obtusa. In: Charophytes of Europe. (Becker & al. 2024 Eds), pp. 939–950. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Type Information
Type locality: [Germany]; (Reichenbach 1829) Lectotype (In lacu “Plötzensee” prope Berolinum; designated by Casanova & Gregor in Pall & al. 2024: 939): A. Bauer; 1828; MEL; (Pall & al. 2024: 939)

General Environment
This is a freshwater species.

Created: 16 May 2003 by M.D. Guiry.

Last updated: 22 January 2025

Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.

Distributional note
"Nitellopsis obtusa seems to be restricted to the northern hemisphere (Korsch, 2018). It is found almost all over Europe and Asia between 18° N and 65° N (Fig. 70.5). In Asia, records exist from Central, North, West, East, South Asia. Its preference for calcareous lakes is reflected by its distribution pattern, mainly lakes with a catchment in sedimentary rocks and areas covered by glacial deposits harbour the species. It's not that clear therefore what factor is responsible for the lack of N. obtusa in Iceland and Norway. As in Sweden the species northwards to the middle of the country, harsh climatic conditions should not restrict it from these areas. Lack of calcareous bedrock and prevailing acidic bedrock in Iceland and Norway is a probable explanation. The species is able to thrive in low-salinity brackish water, it was found in the Baltic Sea at coastal sites in Denmark and Finland (Willén, 1957) as well as in Lithuania and Russia (Urbaniak, 2004). The species is found frequently outside Europe and has successfully colonised North American lakes, being regarded an invader since its first appearance in the early 1980s (Alix et al., 2017)." (Pall & al. 2024). - (22 January 2025) - M.D. Guiry

Conservational note
"Preferring clear water, eutrophication is a threat for N. obtusa as for most of the charophytes. Especially increasing turbidity and competition by higher plants reduces depth distribution as well as area inhabited by this species. On the other hand this species is probably one of the least eutrophication-sensitive charophyte species, still growing in dense patches in slightly eutrophic shallow lakes, surrounded by dense meadows of Potamogeton spp. and Myriophyllum spp. Probably the most threatening factor is ground-foraging fish species, acting both ways, by destroying the stands and by increasing turbidity. It is considered "Threatened" or "Near Threatened" in many northern, eastern and southern European countries but it is fairly widespread in central and western Europe and is increasing in Britain and Ireland (N. Stewart pers. comm). However, it%u2019s preferred habitat, mesotrophic calcareous lakes, as well as the typical pond habitats in Hungary are protected all over the European Union by Annex I of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive (European Commission, 1992)." (Pall & al. 2024). - (22 January 2025) - M.D. Guiry

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=60046

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 04 April 2025