State distribution in Australia, based on available literature

Cosmarium exiguum is a widely distributed species of which quite a series of varieties have been described. Var. dilatatum was described by Schmidle (1898, as C. norimbergense froma dilatata) from eastern Africa. no later verifiable records of this taxon could be traced but there are some references to other taxa that might be attributed to C. exiguum var. dilatatum, eg, C. exiguum var. hexagonum (Gronblad) Willi Krieg. et Gerloff from Papua new Guinea (Vyverman 1991) and C. exiguum var. subrctangulum W. et G.S.West from Burna (Skuja 1949). Many of the cells of C. exiguum var. dilatatum encountered in our inverstigation showed a striking additional morphological characteristic, Ie. a twist at the isthmus through about 90`. As this feature was not consistent throughout the populations examined, a separate taxonomic status for this deviating cell form is not considered. (Coesel & Dingley 2005)

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