Rediscovery of the terrestrial green alga Trentepohlia aurea (Linnaeus) C. Martius (Chlorophyta) in Croatia after 130 years

Abstract

The first record of the terrestrial green alga Trentepohlia aurea for Croatia was made in 1890 in the area of the Krka River, and has remained until this day the only record of this globally widespread species in the country. During studies related to aquatic vegetation, the species was finally rediscovered from the area of Plitvice Lakes, in the Gorski kotar region and near Vukova Gorica village, after 130 years during which no records were made. All recorded populations formed round, woolly, orange-red patches on the surface of rocks and concrete walls, partly forming a community with bryophytes and lichens. In some cases in these mixed communities, Trentepohlia thalli overgrew bryophytes blocking their access to nutrients, water and light. This long period of lack of records of T. aurea in Croatia is mostly a consequence of the discontinuity in research on certain algal groups in Croatia.