Desmid of the month
February 2005

Micrasterias brachyptera

In former days Micrasterias brachyptera, like M. fimbriata, was considered a variety of M. apiculata (West & West 1905). Although their mutual relationship is obvious, the taxa in question are hardly or not interconnected by transitional forms, so a status of separate species seems reasonably justified. Micrasterias brachyptera differs from the other two species mentioned in that the lateral lobes are relatively short, so that the cell body gives the imprssion of being provided with wings (‘brachy-ptera’ literally means ‘with short wings’). In the Netherlands M. brachyptera is exclusively known from the north-western corner of the province of Overijssel where it is of occasional occurrence in mesotrophic quaking fen hollows.

 

Reference:

West, W. & G.S. West, 1905. A monograph of the British Desmidiaceae. Volume 2. — Ray Society, London, 204 pp.