Desmid of the month
January 2007
Euastrum elegans
Eu. elegans belongs to the group of Euastra which are characterized by a deep
apical incision of the semicell (see also desmid of the month December, 2004).
In Eu. elegans the lateral sides of the semicell diverge from the top of
the apical incision to the basal lobes in a more or less fluent line. As in
many Euastrum species, the inflated central part of the semicell is
furnished with a group of granules. Next to this central ornamentation there
are some scattered granules at the base and the apex of the semicell. In the
Netherlands, Euastrum elegans is rather common in slightly acidic,
mesotrophic water bodies. Zygospores, however, are very rare.
Image © J. Meesters
Vegetative cell of Euastrum elegans. Note the deep, apical incision.
Cell dimensions (L x B): ca 30 x 20 µm
