D.C. McDEVIT and C.W. SCHNEIDER (2002)
Rhodora 104: 161-169
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of the alga Vaucheria to survive prolonged and stressful periods of desiccation and freezing. However, even during harsh New England winters, the top few centimeters of floodplain alluvium or stream bank mud where Vaucheria is often found experience repeated thawing and refreezing events. Muds from two Connecticut riparian sites known to contain propagules from as many as eight species of Vaucheria were collected in spring and summer, then subjected to a variety of freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles. Six species of Vaucheria — V. aversa, V. frigida, V. geminata, V. prona, V. taylorii, and V. undulata— have demonstrated survival tolerance to multiple F/T cycles of intervals from 1-10 days.
Key words: Freeze/thaw cycles, propagules, riparian sediments, seed banks, Vaucheria,Vaucheriaceae
