DISTRIBUTION AND TAXONOMIC REAPPRAISAL OF CTENOCLADUS (CHLOROPHYCEAE: CHAETOPHORALES)1,2

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Abstract
SUMMARY: The distribution of the rare filamentous green alga Ctenocladus Borzi was examined on a world‐wide basis. All the collection sites are restricted to specific inland habitats. Most of these locations are in arid regions of North America with a few scattered sites in Peru, Sicily, and Siberia. This alga has been referred to 2 genera, either Ctenocladus or Lochmiopsis Woronochin & Popova, for the past 45 years. Based on field observations, laboratory cultures, and herbarium material, Lochmiopsis is considered synonymous with Ctenocladus.The response of vegetative cell dimensions to seasonal changes (i.e., osmotic potential and temperature) in 3 saline habitats in British Columbia was also investigated. Results from the study, along with laboratory dilutions of natural saline waters, showed that cell dimensions arc not valid criteria for separating species of Ctenocladus as proposed by some authors. Consequently Ctenocladus is considered a monotypic genus with physiological variants responding to seasonal environmental conditions.

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