Data on morphometric and phylogenetic variation of 19 Micrasterias species

Data were collected using natural populations and strains of 19 species belonging to the genus Micrasterias (Desmidiales, Zygnematophyceae, Viridiplantae). For each species, morphology of 75 cells were registered via geometric morphometric analysis of cellular 2D front views. In addition, phylogenetic structure of these 19 species were studied by an analysis of the 18S rDNA sequences. The purpose of the data was to evaluate phylogenetic constraints on asymmetry in cellular morphology, which is an important evolutionary feature of these algae and may be used in biomonitoring of environmental status of freshwater wetlands.