First report of female gametangia in the invasive macroalga starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in North America

Abstract

Nitellopsis obtusa (Desv.) J. Groves (starry stonewort) is a macroalga in the Characeae family first documented in North America c. 1974. Since initial introduction, N. obtusa clonal populations quickly established in inland lakes as early as 2005. Despite increased N. obtusa monitoring over the last decade, only sterile or male specimens were documented in North America; however, during routine monitoring in Lake Simcoe and Lake Scugog in 2022, we discovered the presence of female gametangia on N. obtusa. In addition, two other Characeae genera had prevalent antheridia and oogonia, co-occurring with oogonia-presenting N. obtusa, which had not been observed previously despite intensive monitoring since 2008. Further studies in North America are required to confirm the proportion of female populations present within invaded regions, as well as to identify plausible causes shifting gametangia development across non-native and native Characeae, especially within the context of climate change. The presence of oogonia on N. obtusa represents a major change to our understanding of this species and its reproductive ecology in North America.