Taxonomic Group: | Diatom |
Trophic Status: | Autotrophic |
Size Range: | 11.4-20.9 μm wide x 28.5-110 μm long (LUMCON Guide); 12-20 μm wide x 42-67 μm long (Cupp 1943, Horner 2002); 8-70 μm wide x 42-300 μm long (Tomas 1997) |
Key Characteristics: | Cylindrical cells with rounded ends, usually in short loose chains; small spine in center of valve fits into depression in adjacent cell; numerous small chloroplasts distributed over entire cell |
Confused With: | At first glance, with Cerataulina pelagica, but closer examination of a terminal cell will show the small spine in the center of the valve instead of the two marginal horns in C. pelagica, which also tends to form tighter chains |
Toxin: | None known |
Display2018-01-05T09:42:10+00:00