Cell filament of Bambusina brebissonii.

Diameter of filament 18 µm.

 


Desmid of the month
September 2005

Bambusina brebissonii

The genus Bambusina is readily to be distinguished by its characteristic cell shape reminding of two flower-pots, one being placed upside down on the other. Cells are united by their apices to form filaments. Conjugation in mating filaments may take place simultaneously between series of cells.

By far the most wide-spread species of this genus is Bambusina brebissonii*. In the Netherlands it is of common occurrence in acidic, oligotrophic bogs and moorland pools. Zygospore formation has been observed a number of times.

* synonyms: Bambusina borreri, Gymnozyga moniliforme

Parts of Bambusina filaments photographed with interference contrast illumination showing a thin mucilaginous matrix enclosing each of the filaments.

Some two zygospores of Bambusina brebissonii still connecting parts of the filaments mated.

Separate cell of Bambusina brebissonii in frontal view showing a delicate longitudinal striation of the cell wall at the poles. Notice also lobostelloid chloroplasts with central pyrenoid.

Same cell of B. brebissonii but now in apical view. Notice circular outline of semicell at the top, lemon-shaped outline at the base.