Staurastrum elongatum

Staurastrum elongatum. Notice highly elongate cell shape and short, divergent apical processes.

Cell dimensions (L x B): ca 70 x 45 µm

 

 

Desmid of the month
June 2012

Staurastrum elongatum

Staurastrum elongatum belongs to a group of desmid species with a marked Atlantic distribution, i.e. confined to northern and westernmost Europe. S. elongatum hardly can be confused with any other Staurastrum species because of its strikingly elongate cell shape. Semicell body is vase-shaped with a swollen base and apical angles that are extended into relatively short processes. Dutch records are confined to some oligotrophic moorland pools dating from the first half of the last century.

Staurastrum elongatum, SEM imageImage © Jan Šťastný

SEM picture of S. elongatum. Notice series of acute granules at the inflated base and the apex of the semicell body with a long, smooth-walled part in between.