Staurastrum hantzschii Reinsch, 1867

Most likely ID: n.a.

 

Synonym: Staurastrum inaequale f. polonicum

 

Sampling location: Lauchsee Moor (Austria)

 

Phylogenetic tree: Staurastrum hantzschii

 

Diagnosis: 

  • cells 3 or 4 radiate
  • length 40–48 µm, width 36–42 µm (with processes)
  • semi-cells oval or pentagonal
  • lateral angles with two processes with 4 spines each
  • apical angles with 2 oblique processes, ends forked.
  • 9–12 lateral processes in sum
  • 6–8 oblique processes in sum
  • cell wall finely granulated
  • each semi-cell with one chloroplast and one pyrenoid
Staurastrum-hantzschii
Staurastrum hantzschii

So far, I have only found one specimen of Staurastrum hantzschii in samples from the Lauchsee Moor in Austria. This species is characterized by more and longer projections than the similar species Staurastrum senarium. In addition, Staurastrum senarium is also smaller, measuring about 30 µm in length. In Staurastrum hantzschii, the lateral processes have 4 spines at the end (2 larger and 2 smaller), while the apical processes bear only 2 spines.

Staurastrum-hantzschii

Fig. 1 a-c: Staurastrum hantzschii. L = 51 µm (with processes). Three focal planes of a slightly squashed specimen. Obj. 40 X.

Staurastrum-hantzschii

Fig. 2 a-b: Staurastrum hantzschii. L = 51 µm (with processes). Two focal planes of the same specimen as shown in fig. 1 a-c at higher magnification. Obj. 100 X.

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