E. variabilis

Pringsheim, Nova Acta Leopoldina 18: 63, fig. 9, 1956
Cells 31-39 μm long, 9-13 μm broad; strongly metabolic; fusiform or most frequently asymmetrically gourd-shaped, anterior end broadly rounded, undulated at middle portion of the cells and attenuated into a short blunt non-hyaline cauda; pellicle delicately spirally striated, 20-24 striae per 10 μm; chloroplast numerous, disk-shaped, parietal, 2~3��m in diameter, without pyrenoids; paramylon grains dimorphic: one bigger rod-shaped (4-5 �~ 2-3 μm), located near the eyespot, numerous small granulate ones scatter in the cytoplasm; nucleus spherical, 5-7 μm in diameter, enclosed by some small paramylon grains, located dorsally at posterior portions of the cells; eyespot very prominent, curved lamellar-shaped, with convex face outward, 4-5 μm in length; locomotory flagellum body length.

Occurrence in Chia-Yi:
Three local populations were collected here: in an agricultural reservoir, Hou-Pi, OCT 1998; the other two agricultural reservoirs, Shui-Shang, JUL 1998, Tai-Pao, APR 1999, respectively. It is recorded for the first time in Taiwan.

Taxonomic consideration:
The most distinguishable characters of this alga are, the largest rod-shaped paramylon grain located near the eyespot and the small grains on the surface of nucleus are clearly seen (Pringsheim, 1953).

Note:
This alga is rather rare in this area, we collected two strains distinguished from its cell shape, one fusiform; the other, asymmetrical gourd-shaped. Both of them agree in the descriptions of Pringsheim (1953). The cell dimensions are slightly smaller than that of Korean (Kim et. al. 1998), the pellicle striations of our specimens are more dense (20-24 striae per 10 μm) than that of Korean (10-12 striae per 10 μm). According to personal observations indicate that it is hard to detect the number of pellicle striations of this alga under high magnification (1000�~), our data were estimated through the use of film scanner (Nikon coolscan��), enlarged by software (Adobe Photoshop 4.0) and detected on monitor (ViewSonic PT775). The outlines and diagnosis of this alga of Krienitz and Yamagish (1995) are far different from that of ours, Kim's (1998), Pringsheim's (1956) and Gojdics' (1953). The organisms reported by Krienitz and Yamagish (1995) seems not E. variabilis.