Home / Charophyceae / Filaments / Desmids / Micrasterias foliacea

Click on images for larger format
Name derivation:
Morphology:
Cells have a square outline with several lobes along the sides and a pair of pointed extensions at each end. The terminal extensions ten to interlock adjacent cells forming a multicellular ribbon or pseudofilament. The cells are easily separated with slight pressure on a cover slip. Micrasterias foliacea is the only species of Micrasterias that tends to be in ribbon form. The rest are mainly unicells, or may remain attached in pairs for awhile after cell division.
Similar genera:
xxx
Habitat:
Vernal pools
References:
xxx