Charophytes of Insular Newfoundland II: <em>Chara evoluta</em> and <em>Chara canescens</em>

Abstract

The rare Newfoundland disjuncts Chara evoluta and Chara canescens are compared morphologically, ecologically, and geographically. Although very similar morphologically, they can readily be distinguished by their monoecious/dioecious nature, cortical cell features and coronula size. Ecological differences are more subtle and difficult to quantify. In Newfoundland the two species are restricted to coastal saline lagoons in the southwest region of the Island, with C. evoluta exhibiting an association with Chara aspera. The flora and fauna of these unique habitats are poorly documented even though it is known that they are associated with other rare species including the Piping Plover and the Banded Killifish. Consideration of some degree of protection as special habitats within the provincial ecological reserve strategy is suggested. An updated key to all species of charophytes known to inhabit Newfoundland and Labrador is included, and a brief overview of their ecological distributions is provided.

Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Chara altaica (Charales, Charophyceae), a Monoecious Species of the Section Desvauxia

“…10). This fossa wall ornamentation is essentially different from that of C. evoluta; the latter exhibited a minutely granular pattern on the fossa walls under SEM (Mann and Nambudiri 2005). However, the phylogenetic relationship between these 2 monoecious species of the section Desvauxia is ambiguous because molecular phylogenetic data are lacking in C. evoluta.…”

Banded Killifish (<i>Fundulus diaphanus</i>) and Mummichog (<i>Fundulus heteroclitus</i>) distributions in insular Newfoundland waters: implications for a Species at Risk

“…Expansion of at-risk populations of Banded Killifish in the United States (Illinois) have also been reported (Mankowski 2012). Populations of the eastern and the western subspecies have been rapidly expanding in Lake Michigan since 2001 and the Mississippi Scott and Crossman (1964);van Vliet (1970); Dickinson and Threlfall (1975); Gibson et al (1984); Day (1993); Chippett (2004); Mann and Nambudiri (2005); Mitchell and Purchase (2014). †One site (Burin) could not be counted in total as site coordinates were not provided with sample.…”