Asteromphalus sp.
Click on image to view photo information.
Aster_he1.jpg Aster_he2.jpg NSCN9415.jpg
Taxonomic Group: Diatom
Trophic Status: Autotrophic
Size Range: 15-180 μm diameter, depending on species (Tomas 1997)
Key Characteristics: Cells solitary, oblong to elliptical; long chambers (hyaline rays) radiate from a central area and terminate near the valve margin and one ray is narrower than the others; the number of rays varies with species
Confused With: Asterolampra species, which have hyaline rays all the same shape and width
Toxin: None known