A natural marvel in a single cell

This single-celled freshwater algae wasa collected as part of the first-ever study of the green algae family called desmids in Florida’s Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, in the northern Everglades. USGS biologist Barry H. Rosen, an expert on freshwater algae who leads the study, used a technique called differential interference microscopy to highlight the relief of the image. The bright green color is the chloroplast, where photosynthesis takes place.

Micrasterias radiosa from Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, August 2017. Photo: Barry H. Rosen, USGS