Phylum: Charophyta   Family: Desmidiaceae

Cosmarium sinostegos var. ausseeanum Lenzenweger 1984

A rare desmid found in the tychoplankton of shallow pools and lochans. Only known from two localities in Europe, it differs from the nominate in having more numerous granules at the marginal poles and a central granule at the apex. There is also a granule in the semicell's centre which is clearly seen in apical view. The zygospore found at Askernish is the first recorded.

References: 
Lenzenweger, R. (1999) Desmidiaceenflora von Österreich, Teil 3.
Kouwets, F.A.C. (in manuscript) European Flora of the Desmid Genus Cosmarium.