Euastrum insigne, a species characterized by vase-shaped cells with a broad base and a slender neck

Cell dimensions (L x B): 120 x 65 µm

 

 

Desmid of the month
April 2010

Euastrum insigne

Euastrum insigne is a characteristic species hardly to be confused with any other European Euastrum. Semicells are vase-shaped with a broad base and a long, slender, upwards dilating neck. At the base of the semicell there is a couple of downwards directed, big, conical protuberances meeting those of the other semicell. The cell wall shows marked pore fields, at the end of the lobes often granulated by excreted material. In the Netherlands, Euastrum insigne is a rare species only incidentally encountered in acidic, oligotrophic bog pools.

Euastrum insigne, another cell

Another cell of Eu. insigne showing the pronounced, conical protuberances at the base of the semicells

Euastrum insigne in lateral and apical view
Image © Koos Meesters (after Austrian material) mouse over

Cell of Eu. insigne in lateral view
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Cell of Eu. insigne in apical view

Euastrum insigne, empty cell
Image © Koos Meesters (after Austrian material) mouse over

Empty cell of Eu. insigne showing marked pore fields

SEM picture of Euastrum insigne, the left cell in oblique lateral view, the right one in frontal view.