This book is an introduction of Southeast Asian Desmids, and deals with about 950 taxa of 34 genera of this group of algae which includes many taxa observed previously by the present authors and other coauthors, some species described as new to science from Southeast Asia.
The book gives details of morphology of various desmid cells and terminology for the characteristic parts of the cell are given with a figure of a Cosmarium cell. Then, differing cell shapes for each genus or in each alga are shown with a figure and a comparative table.
Various shapes of semi cell, cell and extra margin, and ornamentation of cell walls are also given in figures. The cell shapes of desmids are found to have much diversity. The chloroplasts are shown in figures. Asexual and sexual reproduction of desmids is very unique compared with other algal groups. The processes of reproduction are explained with figures.
Habitat of desmids, collection and preservation of desmid samples, observation by microscope, records of observation, and explanations of scientific names of desmids used in the book are given. Furthermore, a key to genera and a systematic enumeration and explanation for each species are given and figures are described, providing other details of location and distribution.
Photographs of Desmids
1. Introduction
2. Morphology of Desmids and terminology for observation
3. Reproduction of desmids
4. Habitat, collection, observation and description
5. Key to the Genera 1-3
6. Systematic enumeration
Bibliography
Plates
Index