Desmid of the month
April 2009

Netrium oblongum

As compared to Netrium digitus (desmid of December, 2003) cells of Netrium oblongum are cylindric-oval in outline rather than cigar-shaped. Most decisive differentiating characteristic, however, is in the chloroplast. Whereas in N. digitus the longitudinal chloroplast ridges are regularly scaloped, those in N. oblongum are (almost) entire. In the Netherlands, N. oblongum is a rare species confined to acidic, oligotrophic bogs with a slight input of minerals from the subsoil.

Image © Waterdienst RWS (mouse over)

Cell of Netrium oblongum. Notice the almost entire longitudinal chloroplast ridges.
(mouse over picture showing two different planes of focussing).

Cell dimensions (L x B): ca 120 x 35 µm