The first record of Hydrurus foetidus (Villars) Trevisan (Ochrophyta: Chrysophyceae) in Croatia with ecological notes

Research conducted in the Bijela rijeka River within Plitvice Lakes National Park has documented the first occurrence of Hydrurus foetidus, a stenothermic macroalga native to cold mountain streams, in Croatia. This discovery underscores the river's unexpectedly high water quality despite significant anthropogenic impacts and altered morphology. The study involved comprehensive analysis of phytobenthos, macrophytes, and macroinvertebrates, revealing that H. foetidus thrives in fast-flowing, riffle-dominated environments typical of pristine mountain streams. This finding highlights the resilience of certain species to anthropogenic pressures while serving as a bioindicator for water quality assessment in such ecosystems.

Stanković, I., Leitner, P.,. (2016). The first record of Hydrurus foetidus (Villars) Trevisan (Ochrophyta: Chrysophyceae) in Croatia with ecological notes. Natura Croatica, 25(2), 223–231. https://doi.org/10.20302/nc.2016.25.18