Cerataulina pelagica
Click on image to view photo information.
| Taxonomic Group: | Diatom |
| Trophic Status: | Autotrophic |
| Size Range: | 13.3-22.5 μm wide x 26.6-65 μm long (LUMCON Guide); 11-36 μm diameter (Cupp 1943, Horner 2002); 7-56 μm diameter (Tomas 1997) |
| Key Characteristics: | Cells cylindrical, usually in straight or twisted chains; valves with two marginal elevations having wing like extensions with spines near one end; cell wall weakly silicified; numerous chloroplasts |
| Confused With: | At first glance, with Dactyliosolen fragilissimus, but closer examination of a terminal cell will show the two horns at the cell margin; also, since D. fragilissimus cells connect with a single central small spine, chains appear joined by the center of each cell, whereas chains of C. pelagica connect more tightly and at the edges |
| Toxin: | None known |