Closterium navicula

Cell of Cl. navicula with boat-shaped outline (like the diatom genus Navicula). Notice globular terminal vavuoles holding a big (compound?) crystal.

Cell dimensions (L x B): ca 40 x 15 µm

 

 

Desmid of the month
July 2010

Closterium navicula

As its name already indicates, Closterium navicula is marked by a naviculoid, so boat-shaped cell outline. In respect of that, it differs from most other Closterium species that are more or less lunate. Cl. navicula is also characterized by relatively small cell dimensions and by big, sharply bound terminal vacuoles. In the Netherlands it is occasionally encountered in slightly acidic, mesotrophic moorland pools and fen hollows.

Another cell of Cl. navicula showing a big pyrenoid in each semicell.

Cell of Cl. navicula var. crassum, characterized by a high cell breadth/length ratio.