Home / Charophyceae / Desmids / Unicells/ Placoderm / Euastrum
Click on images for larger format
Name derivation:
Classification:
Euastrum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs 1848; 190 of 1,791 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2012). Order Desmidiales; Family Desmidiaceae
Morphology:
Green unicells, some nearly as broad as long, with an incut isthmus. Distinct apical and broader lateral lobes. Two chloroplasts, one per hemicell, with one or more pyrenoids (Guiry and Guiry 2013).
Similar genera:
Species assigned to Cosmarium, Micrasterias and Euastrum are often intermediates.
Habitat:
Similar to most desmids, usually found in acidic oligotrophic freshwater bogs and lakes.
References:
Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 May 2013. Ralfs, J. 1848. The British Desmidieae. pp. [i]-xxii, [i], [1]-226, pls I-XXXV. London: Reeve, Benham & Reeve.