Desmid of the month
July 2008
Tetmemorus granulatus
The most common Tetmemorus species in the Netherlands is T. granulatus. It may be easily distinguished from T. brebissonii (desmid of January 2005) by the shape of the semicells: distinctly tapering from base to apex, versus almost cylindric in T. brebissonii. In addition to that, cell wall pores are scattered (not arranged in longitudinal rows). Like all Tetmemorus species, T. granulatus is particularly to be encountered in peaty habitats but otherwise it has a relatively wide ecological range, occurring in both fens and bogs.
Image © Henk Schulp
Cell of Tetmemorus granulatus. Semicells are gradually tapering from base to apex. Notice the apical, median incision characteristic of the genus Tetmemorus.
Cell dimensions (L
x B): ca 170 x 35 µm
