Phylum: Charophyta   Family: Desmidiaceae

Staurodesmus dejectus var. apiculatus (L.A. de Brébisson) H.T. Croasdale 1957

First described and illustrated by Brébisson (1856: 142, pl. 1: 23) as Staurastrum apiculatum. It was later moved to its current genus by (Croasdale 1957: 128). It differs from the nominate variety in having the spines pointing almost vertically and occasionally recurved. West, West & Carter (1923), as Staurastrum apiculatum, describe it as “general, but scarce“ for Scotland.
Cell dimensions: L: 21-28 µm; B: 23-33 µm; Is: 5.3-6.9 µm; Sp: 4-7 µm; Overall LxB: 29-35 x 26-41.
There is little to suggest this status has changed since the Wests’ time. Found in circumneutral waters such as loch-margins and pools.

References: 
de Brébisson, L.A. (1856). Liste des Desmidiées, observées en Basse-Normandie.
Coesel, P.F.M. & Meesters, K.J. (2013). European Flora of the Desmid Genera Staurastrum and Staurodesmus.
Croasdale, H.T. (1957). Freshwater algae of Alaska I. Some desmids from the Interior. Part 3: Cosmariae concluded.
West, W., West, G.S. & Carter, N. (1923). A Monograph of the British Desmidiaceae, Volume 5.