Staurastrum scabrumImage © Marien van Westen

Staurastrum scabrum. Notice trapeziform semicells and spiny-granulate cell wall.
Cell dimensions (L x B): 35 x 34 µm

 

 

Desmid of the month
February 2014

Staurastrum scabrum

Staurastrum scabrum is characterized by trapeziform semicells with broadly rounded angles. The cell wall is furnished with conical granules or short spines that are arranged in concentric series around the basal angles. Whereas the granules/spines at the angles are simple, those on the flanks are usually emarginate or merged into compound verrucae. As for its distribution within the Netherlands, Staurastrum scabrum is a rare species, confined to oligotrophic (but slightly minerotrophic) bog pools.

Staurastrum scabrum in frontal view
Mouse over images © Alfred van Geest

Cell of St. scabrum in frontal view showing 3-dimensional configuration.

 

Staurastrum scabrum, dead, empty cell
Image © Alfred van Geest

Empty cell of St. scabrum in rear view showing compound verrucae.


Staurastrum scabrum SEM image, frontal viewImage Hanny Kooijman née Van Blokland © IBED

SEM picture of St. scabrum in frontal view showing cell wall sculpturing in detail.

empty semicell of Staurastrum scabrum in apical view
Mouse over images © Alfred van Geest

Empty, semicell of St. scabrum in apical view showing emarginate granules and compound verrucae.

 

Staurastrum scabrum, SEM image, apical viewImage Hanny Kooijman née Van Blokland © IBED

SEM picture of St. scabrum in isthmial and in apical view.