This light photomicrograph is one of the many species of Euglena that are very common in the ponds of Epping Forest. The paramylum bodies which store carbohydrates can be seen within the cell body. The red eye spot can also be seen, this helps to locate the brighter or darker areas of the Euglenas world. Euglena can have both plant and animal characteristics and cause blooms where the water can turn bright green.
Reproduction is by asexual means.
This alga is a member of the Chrysophytes and is covered with siliceous plates. This colonial alga is also common in small still waters which are high in nutrients. Each cell has two flagella one being longer than the other. The colonies vary in size and can be anything up to 100 um in diameter. When this alga is present it usually occurs in large numbers along with a another beautiful alga called Dinobryan.