Architecture of cell wall of EUASTRUM Ralfs: New genus critheria

Abstract

Cell wall ornamentation of 66 species of the genus Euastrum Ralfs has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. Special depressions of cell wall (scrobicules) have been described for desmids. Scrobicules have been divided into four groups on the basis of morphology, size, and distribution: large with two layers and some pores, grouped around a pore, small without pore, and round with a pore. It has been shown that the first three types of scrobicules are specific only for Euastrum and are proposed as additional criteria for this genus.