Desmid of the month
May 2004

Micrasterias truncata

In the Netherlands, M. truncata by far is the most common Micrasterias species to be encountered. Whereas in markedly acidic, oligotrophic water bodies on the Pleistocene sand soils it is the nominal variety that predominates, in slightly acidic, mesotrophic Holocene quivering fens rather var. semiradiata may be expected. The latter variety differs from the nominal one by deeper invaginations between the semicell lobes. Incidentally, also other varieties of M. truncata can be sampled.