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Euastrum binale Desmid Species Outer Hebrides

Alage Outer Hebrides logo  Algae Outer Hebrides


Phylum: Charophyta   Family: Desmidiaceae

Euastrum binale J. Ralfs 1848

Semicells roughly trapezoid with the basal two-third twin-lobed. The apical section in convex with a shallow cleft. Sinus deep and closed for the most part. Chloroplast axile with a single pyrenoid.
Cell dimensions: L: 20-24 µm; B: 15-19 µm; Is: 4.5-6.7 µm; Th: c.11 µm; L/B: 1.20-1.40.
Ralfs’ (1848) original description and images are rather confused and indicate that more than one species is involved. Since then, a host of formae and varieties have been described. West & West (1905: 52) suggest it’s abundant in Scotland, especially in the Outer Hebrides. This is certainly not the case now and they may have been describing the taxon in its broadest context. Found in mildly acidic habitats.

References: 
Coesel, P.F.M. & Meesters, K.J. (2023 second edition) Desmids of the Lowlands.
Ralfs, J. (1848) The British Desmidieae.
Ruzicka, J. (1981) Die Desmidiaceen Mitteleuropas, Volume 1, Part 2.
West, W. & West, G.S. (1905) A Monograph of the British Desmidiaceae, Volume 2.

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