Desmid of the month
June 2002

Micrasterias americana

In the Netherlands, Micrasterias americana is one of the most appealing desmid species. Particularly intriguing is its marked increase during the last decades. Desmid research in the Netherlands started in the second half of the 19th century. The first report of M. americana from the Netherlands was not before the early 1950's. Since then the number of find sites has steadily increased (see distribution map elsewhere on this website). Especially in the last years the species has also been found in newly created habitats (peat pits, sand pits) where it was encountered in very high abundance. Reports from abroad, supporting our Dutch experience that M. americana is extending its distribution area and possibly also its ecological niche are most welcome.