Cosmarium beckii


Cosmarium beckii. Notice semicells with crenulate, trapeziform outline.
Cell dimensions ( L x B): 29 x 23 µm


 


Desmid of the Month
April 2025

Cosmarium beckii*


C. beckii should be compared with C. subcostatulum (desmid of previous month). As compared to that latter taxon, cells of C. beckii have a bit higher length to breadth ratio and semicells are trapeziform with stronger converging lateral sides than those in C. subcostatulum. C. beckii is known from some sites in both the Netherlands and Belgium but because of easy confusion with C. subcostatulum its precise distribution pattern is less clear.

* Previously known as C. subcostatum var. beckii (Gutw.) West et G.S.West


Semicell of C. beckii in apical view showing a median inflation.

Empty cell of C. beckii showing a pattern of cell wall ornamentation comparable with that in C. subcostatulum.