vs Common Fieldcap

Chrysosphaerella annulata compared with Agrocybe pediades

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Common Fieldcap is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Common Fieldcap
Kingdom	Chromista (Chromista)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Chrysophyceae (Chrysophyceae)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Ochromonadales (Ochromonadales)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Paraphysomonadaceae	Strophariaceae
Genus	Chrysosphaerella	Agrocybe
Species	Chrysosphaerella annulata	Agrocybe pediades

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Common Fieldcap
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Chrysosphaerella annulata is a colonial freshwater chrysophyte microalga in the genus Chrysosphaerella, class Chrysophyceae. Unlike unicellular loricate chrysophytes, Chrysosphaerella species form spherical or ellipsoidal free-floating colonies in which individual cells are embedded in a common gelatinous matrix. The individual cells bear long siliceous scales with distinctive ring-like or annular structures — referenced by the species epithet annulata — projecting outward from the colony surface, giving the colony a spiny appearance under microscopy. These siliceous scales are species-specific and their morphology, as revealed through electron microscopy, is the primary character for identifying Chrysosphaerella species. C. annulata has been recorded from Norwegian and Swedish freshwater environments, consistent with the Scandinavian emphasis in chrysophyte research and the high diversity of chrysophytes in boreal freshwater systems. Chrysosphaerella colonies are planktonic, inhabiting the limnetic zone of oligotrophic to mesotrophic lakes where they may form locally conspicuous populations during favorable conditions. The species uses chlorophylls a and c with fucoxanthin for photosynthesis, contributing to primary production. Chrysosphaerella scales can accumulate in lake sediments, providing a record of past community composition and environmental conditions. C. annulata has not been assessed under IUCN criteria and is classified as Not Evaluated. Its documentation contributes to understanding the diversity of colonial chrysophyte forms in northern European freshwater ecosystems.

Common Fieldcap

The Common Fieldcap (<em>Agrocybe pediades</em>) is a saprotrophic fungus belonging to the genus Agrocybe within the family Strophariaceae. It typically produces small, tan to pale brown cap-shaped fruiting bodies and is often found growing in clusters or scattered on lawns, grassy areas, forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil-rich ecosystems. The species typically inhabits forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems, obtaining nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter. Its geographic range includes several European countries — Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — as well as the United States in North America. <em>Agrocybe pediades</em> is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its broad distribution and apparent stability. Biological traits of this species, including specific data on fruiting body size, lifespan, and ecological preferences, remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Like other members of its genus, it typically fruits during warmer months and often appears after rainfall in nutrient-rich grassland and woodland habitats.