Genus: Colonies of 4 (or 2, 8, 16) cells attached side by side, arranged linearly or zigzag;
cell body elliptical or spindle or crescent in shape; terminal cells with spiny projections in many species;
cell wall usually smooth, but in some species granulated or dented or ridged
(Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).
Species [ var. quadricauda ]: Colonies of 2, 4 or 8 cells arranging linearly; cell body elongated ellipsoidal, 11-18
μm long, 3.5-7 μm wide; terminal cells with
long spiny projections (10-17 μm long); cell wall smooth.
[ var. biornatus ]: Cell body 7-15 μm long, 3-5 μm wide;
all cells have spiny projections (5-14 μm long) at both ends
(Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).
S= length of Spines; L=Body length
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