Desmid of the month
February 2004

Micrasterias apiculata

M. apiculata  resembles M. fimbriata  but differs in a denser and more pronounced pattern of cell wall spines. In particular the presence of an elevated, star-like, supraisthmial group of spines is most characteristic. In the Netherlands M. apiculata was reported by Prof. J. Heimans from a number of Pleistocene pools, in the first decades of the last century. Any later record was wanting until recently when it was encountered in a small, mesotrophic, quivering fen, next to some ten other Micrasterias species (Coesel, 2004).