Asterocaelum – Microworld

Asterocaelum sp., cyst with spines (calcofluor) – photomicrograph René van Wezel

Genus Asterocaelum Canter, 1973

Diagnosis: Trophozoites with slender pseudopodia; some show a kind of dense axis observed light microscopically. Digestive cyst and resting stage with long thick spines. Feeding on algae, including cyanobacteria, by engulfing the whole cell. Pseudopodia resemble filopodia with a broad base.
Ecology: Reported from freshwater, in water blooms.

There are two described species in the genus:

Mainly feeding on diatoms: A. algophilum Canter, 1973
Mainly feeding on Anabaena: A. anabaenophilum Cook & Ahearn, 1976

Asterocaelum sp. – photomicrograph René van Wezel

Ferry Siemensma
Created March 3, 2019
Last updated February 02, 2021

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