Phylum: Charophyta   Family: Desmidiaceae

Staurastrum tohopekaligense F. Wolle 1885

First described and illustrated by Wolle (1885: 128, pl. 51: 4-5) from Lake Tokopekaliga, Kissimmee, Florida. USA. It has since spawned a number of varieties, some based on the number of processes on the semicells, which can be quite variable. West & West (1895: 80, pl. 9: 8) described one of the varieties as Staurastrum tohopekaligense var. trifurcate, now synonymised. Interestingly, this variety has been found in Sutherland, Scotland and in Lewis, Outer Hebrides. Named after Lake Tokopekaliga and derived from the Seminole Indians who lived nearby; it means: We will gather together here.
Overall cell dimensions: L: 48-91 µm; B: 46-96 µm.; Is: 13-19 µm.
A rare desmid that is hard to define geographically as it occurs in both hemispheres. In Europe it has an Atlantic distribution. Found in slightly acidic condition, sometimes with plankton, also in open water of lochs.

References: 
Coesel, P.F.M. & Meesters, K.J. (2013). European Flora of the Desmid Genera Staurastrum and Staurodesmus.
West, W. & West, G.S. (1895). A contribution to our knowledge of the freshwater algae of Madagascar.
Wolle, F. (1885). Fresh-water algae: X.