Desmid of the month
April 2007
Spondylosium pulchellum
As suggested elsewhere (see Spondylosium ellipticum), the filamentous genus Spondylosium is rather artificial in nature. Whereas cells of most Spondylosium species are Cosmarium-like, cells of Sp. pulchellum resemble those of given small-sized Euastrum species, like Eu. validum or Eu. sublobatum. As intercellular connections in Sp. pulchellum filaments are readily to be broken, often only scattered, separate cells are encountered. On the other hand, whole filaments may be attached to a solid substrate by means of a short, gelatinous basal stalk, a phenomenon that seems to be characteristic of this species (West et al., 1923: 228). In the Netherlands, Sp. pulchellum is of rather common occurrence in oligotrophic, acidic moorland pools.
Reference
West, W., West,
G.S. & Carter, N., 1923. A monograph of the British Desmidiaceae, vol. V.
— Ray Society, London
Image © Koos Meesters
Filament of Spondylosium pulchellum. Notice the loose intercellular connections.
Mean cell dimensions (L x B): 17 x 15 µm
