Phylum: Charophyta Family: Desmidiaceae
Staurastrum arachne Ralfs ex Ralfs
Not a common species but more frequent in the north and west of the British Isles. The Scottish areas of Sutherland and the Outer Hebrides seeing most records. It has a preference for vegetated loch-margins and plankton
References:
Ralfs, J. (1848) The British Desmidieae
West, W., West, G.S. & Carter, N. (1923) A Monograph of the British Desmidiaceae, Volume 5
John, D.M. & Williamson, D.B. (2009) A Practical Guide to the Desmids of the West of Ireland
Coesel, P.F.M. & Meesters, K.J. (2013) European Flora of the Desmid Genera Staurastrum and Staurodesmus