A new record of the rare alga Pachycladella P. C. Silva (Chlorophyceae) in New England

TL;DR

A rare green alga, Pachycladella, was discovered in Connecticut, marking its first appearance in New England and highlighting the need for continued ecological surveys.

Contribution

The first confirmed record of Pachycladella in New England and Connecticut, expanding the geographic range of this genus.

Findings

Pachycladella was found in a Connecticut pond, the first record in New England.

The species is tentatively identified as Pachycladella zatoriensis, previously known only from Europe.

The discovery underscores the importance of ongoing floristic surveys in well-explored regions.

Abstract

A rarely reported taxon, the microscopic green alga Pachycladella, was found in a pond in Connecticut. Due to an unresolved taxonomic debate within the genus, the species-level identity of the newly discovered population cannot be determined with absolute certainty. However, according to the currently accepted classification the Connecticut specimens best match Pachycladella
zatoriensis, heretofore only known from Europe. The find represents not only the first record of Pachycladella in Connecticut, but also in the entire New England region. This study highlights the need for continuing floristic surveys even in regions previously well explored.

Figures