Image © Marien van Westen
Empty cell of C. venustum (var. excavatum). Punctation of cell wall refers to scrobicles.
Image © Marien van Westen
Cosmarium venustum
Cell dimensions (L x B): 25 x 20 µm
Cosmarium venustum is a small-sized, rather inconspicuous species. In rough outline, semicells are trapeziform with an undulation about half-way the lateral sides. The cell wall is smooth but, particularly in empty cells, shows a marked scrobiculation. Usually, of C. venustum its variety excavatum is encountered which is characterized by an extra large pit in the centre of the semicell. In the Netherlands, it is a rather common species in acidic, oligotrophic bog pools.
Image Hanny Kooijman - van Blokland © IBED
SEM picture of C. venustum var. excavatum. Notice pattern of scrobicles and the extra large pit in the centre of the semicell characteristic of this variety.
Image Hanny Kooijman - van Blokland © IBED
SEM picture of C. venustum var. excavatum. Detail of central semicell region showing cell wall pores in and next to scrobicles.