Desmid of the month
November 2008
Cosmarium reniforme
As its name already indicates, Cosmarium reniforme is characterized by kidney-shaped semicells. The cell wall is beset with coarse granules, arranged in regular, longitudinal rows. Remarkably, contrary to the vegetative cells, zygospores of C. reniforme are perfectly smooth-walled. C. reniforme is a common species with a wide ecological range occurring in both mesotrophic, acidic and eutrophic, alkaline water bodies. It may even be encountered in slightly brackish water. Zygospores, however, are rare.
Image © Henk Schulp
Cosmarium reniforme, marked by kidney-shaped semicells and coarse granulation.
Cell dimensions (L x B): ca 60 x 50 µm
