Microalgae of genus Chara (class Charophyceae) in area of Universitas Indonesia, Depok: An effort of in situ and ex situ conservation

Exploration of Chara microalgae has been carried out in the waters of Universitas Indonesia, Depok. The area of Universitas Indonesia has body of water consisting of several small lakes and water springs. The research aims to determine the existence of Chara and is anywhere in the waters of Universitas Indonesia. The method used was purposive random sampling by exploring all bodies explored (6 situ and 1 spring) and carried out 2 times. Chara was not found in all small ponds ( situ ) at Universitas Indonesia. The only place where that microalgae can be found is in a stagnant water spring located to the northwest of the FMIPA UI building commonly called Lab. Alam (Nature Laboratory). Descriptions of Chara found in the Nature Laboratory are as follows. Chara found is a Monoecious organism. The height of Chara thallus is between 10 to 50 cm. The axis is 400–500 mm in diameter and 10–30 mm long, quite encrusted, gray to dark green. Oogonia size (nucule) up to 0.5 mm long, 0.35 mm wide, while antheridia (globule) up to a diameter of 300 μm. Furthermore, a deeper identification must be done. The identification and culturing of the Chara UI strain is still being processed. Meanwhile, efforts to settle outside the habitat (ex situ) have not been successful.