Nitella partita - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Nitella partita

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 03 Dec 2004

Profile last updated: 29 Jun 2022

Description

A macroscopic green alga (charophyte) superficially similar to submerged flowering plants, with flexible stems and whorls of branch-like structures that carry the reproductive organs. It is a rooted annual aquatic plant to 10cm high with internodes 8-23 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide and 6 branchlets in a whorl.

Distribution

Recorded for the first time in NSW in 1999, in the seed banks of four wetlands in north western New South Wales: the saline permanent Lake Altibouka in the Bulloo catchment; the freshwater permanent Waitchie Lake; freshwater temporary Pied Stilt Swamp and Momba Swamp in the Paroo catchment. Likely to be patchily distributed and its abundance is difficult to quantify because of the ephemeral nature of its habitat. Present in the Central Darling Local Government Area and Unincorporated Area.

Habitat and ecology

Appears to be a summer annual, germinating in response to inundation and higher temperatures, growing rapidly during the warmer months before fruiting and dying off in winter.
Charophyte sexual propagules (oospores) although tiny (usually <1mm long), can survive prolonged desiccation and form long-lived dormant 'seed' banks in the soil. Oospores generally exhibit dormancy when first released and germination of less than 10 per cent is common even after prolonged stratification to break dormancy.
Occurs in a wide range of temporary and permanent wetland habitats including those with fresh, brackish and saline water.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Mulga Lands

Threats

Reduced flooding due to alteration of river flows
Climate change
Weeds
Insufficient understanding of species ecology.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Undertake weed control when required.
Conduct further survey at appropriate times.

Information sources

NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Nitella partita (a form of algae) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Known	None