Hi all,

To add on, these two algae are found in freshwater in Singapore, Southeast Asia.

Dear Regina,

it seems that your guesses are correct:

- Branches without cortex (that would appear as lines along the axis), absence of spine cells, stipulodes or bract cells, not lime encrusted are all characters that speak for Nitella.

- The stellate chloroplasts of the simple filamentous green alga point to Zygnema.

Best regards.

Marco

I agree with your determinations

Best regards

Dear Macro and Maria,

Thank you for your replies. Any idea the exact species of these two algae? I am thinking it is Nitella pseudoflabellata, but for Zygnema, I'm uncertain.

Or by any chance any taxonomic keys you can recommend to me, especially for zygnema?

Best regards.

With John et al. 2011 (The Freshwater Algal Flora of the British Isles) you could address both groups (Charales & Zygnematales). With the paper attached you can try to have an idea of the species of your Nitella. However, the book deals with the UK and the paper with the Czech Republic whilst your material is from Singapore. Moreover, for the Zygnema you would need the conjugation stages and zygospores to identify the species...

Best wishes.

Marco

Thank you, Marco!

I totally agree with the answers of Marco Cantonati. Célia Sant´Anna

Dear Regina,

I agree with answer of Marco except his recommendation of keys for Nitella. They are inappropriate for South East Asian charophytes.

It is better to use

Zaneveld 1940. The Charophyta of Malaysia and adjacent countries. Blumea 4(1): 1–223

Imahori K. 1954. Ecology, Phytogeography and Taxonomy of the Japanese Charophyta.

Pal B.P., Kundu B.C., Sundaralingam, V.S., Venkataraman G.S. 1962. Charophyta, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

Wood R.D., Imahori K. 1964. A revision of the Characeae. Second Part. Iconograph of the Characeae.

Wood R.D., Imahori K. 1965. A revision of the Characeae. First Part. Monograph of the Characeae.

Han F.S., Li Y.Y. 1994. Charophyta. In: Flora algarum sinicarum aquae dulcis, Tomus 3.

It seems to be not a Nitella pseudoflabellata because the branchlets illustrated have a distinct central secondary branchlet ray.

This plant resembles Nitella glomerata Jao et Y.Y. Li at first glance.

But to be more sure your specimens, really interesting for me, are need to be better illustrated. In particular: general habit of the plants with scale, entire fertile branchlet, end segments of branchlets, sculpture of ripe oospore surface. It is important to know if the plants produce mucilage around apical whorls.

It is important to see several plants, their sterile and fertile branchlets.

Therefore possibility of their exact identification depends on amount and quality of available specimens.

If you have many specimens it will be relly nice to see them if it is possible.

They can be easily fixed with 70% alcohol for continuous storage,

Best regards

Roman

Thank you Sant'Anna!

Dear Roman,

Thank you for taking time to reply. I am a student starting out in the area of Phycology and still learning the trade. Please pardon me for my ignorance. Studies on algae is lacking in Southeast Asia and I really hope that I have be of much use by focusing my research in this area.

Thank you for your recommendations for the taxonomical keys. I have Zaneveld's keys which I will be using to ID.

May I also take this opportunity to clarify which is the secondary branchlet ray that you referred to? I have seen this term several times and I am uncertain if I am looking at the right part.

With warmest regards.

Sincerely,

Regina

Dear Regina,

You are welcome. I am interested in charophytes from Southeast Asia.

Please find in attachment your photo with indication of secondary central branchlet rays with arrowheads.

With my best regards,

Roman

Dear Roman,

Thank you so much for your help. Now I understand where are the secondary rays. >.< I will keep you updated with the progress and upload more detailed photos.

With warmest regards,

Regina

Dear Regina,

It is not a synonym of Tolypella glomerata http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=u11956319f17e9b4d

But this one http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=rad466814e1a7bcfd

With my best regards,

Roman

Dear Roman,

Oh yes, thank you so much for the clarification.

Sincerely,

Regina

Dear Regina,

You are welcome. My e-mail: [email protected]

Sincerely,

Roman

I agree with Marco Cantonati. Nice photos!

I would like to add some information about Nitella. This species was recently described as a new one for science, Nitella singaporensis.

Article Nitella singaporensis (Charophyceae, Charales): new species ...