Volvox globator resembles the much more common species Volvox aureus at low magnifications. However, the spherical coenobia appear much denser, as the cells are smaller and closer together. For a reliable differentiation, it is necessary to observe the cells on the spherical surface at high magnification. The cells then appear irregularly star-shaped in apical view (s. fig. 2). They are connected to each other by thick plasma strands. Each cell is also surrounded by an individual mucus sheath, which pushes against the mucus sheaths of the neighboring cells during growth. This creates fine separation lines between these mucus sheaths, which form a fine, polygonal pattern. This pattern is absent in Volvox aureus, where the mucus sheaths of the cells merge and appear homogeneous. When viewed laterally, the cells of Volvox globator usually appear lenticular and flattened. Gonidia, which are formed from cells capable of proliferation and which have withdrawn from the cell cluster, are found at greater intervals (s. fig. 4). They grow very strongly and begin to form daughter colonies with repeated cell divisions. Sexual reproduction is also possible. This involves the formation of sperm packets in males and oogonia in females. After fertilization, orange-coloured zygospores covered with spines are formed.