Mouse over iimage © Christophe Brochard
Cell of X. basidentatum. The cell wall in the centre of the semicell is furnished with a circle of granules. At each of the angles a number of stout spines is inserted. Notice also the additional granules near the basal angles.
Cell dimensions (L x B): 82 x 75 µm
Xanthidium basidentatum differs from the allied species X. cristatum and X. fasciculatum by a more exuberant ornamentation. Each of the semicell angles is beset with a bundle of spines. In addition to that there is a number of marked granules near each of the basal angles. In the Netherlands X. basidentatum is a very rare species, encountered in acidic, mesotrophic moorland pools.
Image © Christophe Brochard
Same cell of X. basidentatum photographed at lower magnification, showing the bundles of spines at each of the semicell angles.
Image © Alfred van Geest
Xanthidium basidentatum from another Dutch population.
Image © Alfred van Geest
Cell of X. basidentatum in lateral view