Micrasterias pinnatifida

Micrasterias(mike-raz-tear-ee-ass) is a genus of unicellular algae in the family Desmidiaceae. The cells are flattened and disc-like. The cells of the genus Micrasterias are organized in two semi-cells that are mirror images of each other. The semicells have a distinctive shape with an intricate lobes and indentation. At the end of the lobes the cell wall may sometimes form notches or short spines. The nucleus is located in the centre between the semicells. Each semicell has a chloroplast with some pyrenoids. Usually found in oligotrophic, acid waters. This specimen of Micrasterias pinnatifida collected in the Salzburger Land, Austria. Differential interference contrast.

Micrasterias(mike-raz-tear-ee-ass) is a genus of unicellular algae in the family Desmidiaceae. The cells are flattened and disc-like. The cells of the genus Micrasterias are organized in two semi-cells that are mirror images of each other. The semicells have a distinctive shape with an intricate lobes and indentation. At the end of the lobes the cell wall may sometimes form notches or short spines. The nucleus is located in the centre between the semicells. Each semicell has a chloroplast with some pyrenoids. Usually found in oligotrophic, acid waters. This specimen of Micrasterias pinnatifida collected in the Salzburger Land, Austria. Dark ground illumination.

Micrasterias pinnatifida (KÜTZ.) RALFS The cells are only a little wider than long. The cell halves form three lobes, the lateral lobes are tapered peripherally and have a few denticles at the blunted ends. The lateral lobes are short and are strongly widened with straight ends. The central cut ist deep and strongly widened peripherally.   Dimension: Length 60 - 70 µm, width 65 – 75 µm Ecology: Common in moderate acidic to neutral waters of fens and litoral zones. Occurrence: Ubiquitous 

Micrasterias pinnatifida (KÜTZ.) RALFS The cells are only a little wider than long. The cell halves form three lobes, the lateral lobes are tapered peripherally and have a few denticles at the blunted ends. The lateral lobes are short and are strongly widened with straight ends. The central cut ist deep and strongly widened peripherally.   Dimension: Length 60 - 70 µm, width 65 – 75 µm Ecology: Common in moderate acidic to neutral waters of fens and litoral zones. Occurrence: Ubiquitous 

Description: The cells are only a little wider than long. The cell halves form three lobes, the lateral lobes are tapered peripherally and have a few denticles at the blunted ends. The lateral lobes are short and are strongly widened with straight ends. The central cut ist deep and strongly widened peripherally.Dimension: Length (30)–50–70–(80) µm, width (35)–55–75–(85) µm, L/B (0.75)–0.8–1.0–(1.1).Occurrence: Common in moderate acidic to neutral waters of fens and litoral zones.Left: Original graphic by Prof. Lenzenweger.Right: Photomicrograph by Prof. Lenzenweger. For microphotography, the microscope illumination was adjusted in such a way that as many features as possible that are important for species identification are prominently displayed.Copyright by Prof. Rupert Lenzenweger, Ried im Innkreis, Austria.© Wolfgang Bettighofer,images under Creative Commons License V 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA).For permission to use of (high resolution) images please contact postmaster@protisten.de.For further information about the image, please click here: Link to protisten.de page

Description: The cells are only a little wider than long. The cell halves form three lobes, the lateral lobes are tapered peripherally and have a few denticles at the blunted ends. The lateral lobes are short and are strongly widened with straight ends. The central cut ist deep and strongly widened peripherally.Dimension: Length (30)–50–70–(80) µm, width (35)–55–75–(85) µm, L/B (0.75)–0.8–1.0–(1.1).Occurrence: Common in moderate acidic to neutral waters of fens and litoral zones.Left: Original graphic by Prof. Lenzenweger.Right: Photomicrograph by Prof. Lenzenweger. For microphotography, the microscope illumination was adjusted in such a way that as many features as possible that are important for species identification are prominently displayed.Copyright by Prof. Rupert Lenzenweger, Ried im Innkreis, Austria.© Wolfgang Bettighofer,images under Creative Commons License V 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA).For permission to use of (high resolution) images please contact postmaster@protisten.de.For further information about the image, please click here: Link to protisten.de page