Rediscovery of a Forgotten MediterraneanChaetomorphaSpecies in the Venice Lagoon (North Adriatic Sea):Chaetomorpha strictaSchiffner (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta)

A long-forgotten Mediterranean species of green algae, Chaetomorpha stricta, has been rediscovered in the Venice Lagoon after being mistakenly classified as a synonym for another species. This study reinstates C. stricta to its original species rank based on morphological and molecular analyses, distinguishing it by its unique cell structure and genetic data. The rediscovery occurred in 2011 in an oligotrophic fishing pond within the northern basin of the lagoon. Researchers also provide a critical review of Chaetomorpha taxa in the Mediterranean and a taxonomic key to aid identification. This finding highlights the importance of revisiting historical records and using modern techniques to uncover overlooked biodiversity, even in well-studied regions like the Venice Lagoon.

Sfriso, A., Wolf, M. A., Moro, I., Sfriso, A. A., Buosi, A., & Verlaque, M. (2018). Rediscovery of a Forgotten MediterraneanChaetomorphaSpecies in the Venice Lagoon (North Adriatic Sea):Chaetomorpha strictaSchiffner (Cladophorales, Chlorophyta). Cryptogamie, Algologie, 39(3), 293–312. https://doi.org/10.7872/crya/v39.iss3.2018.293