Micrasterias furcata. Notice deeply incised lateral lobes and smooth cell wall.

Cell dimensions (L x B): ca 150 x 130 µm

 

 

Desmid of the month
November 2014

Micrasterias furcata

Micrasterias furcata* resembles Micrasterias crux-melitensis but cells are deeper incised resulting in more slender lobules. M. furcata has a cosmopolitan distribution, but most likely comprises a number of phylogenetic lineages. In Europe, its main point of distribution is in the atlantic regions. In the Netherlands it is only known from some moorland pools dating from almost a century ago.

* This species is also known under the name of Micrasterias radiata (e.g., in flora West & West)