A = Chain (BF); B = Chain at different focus (DIC); C = Frustules (SEM)
Life-form: Cells united in long chains
Size: Diameter = 2 - 21 µm, pervalvaraxis 2-61 µm
Resting spore: ?
Note:
Distinctive features: Small cells linked firmly with long external tubes of the marginal strutted processes
Similar species: Skeletonema pseudocostatum
Distribution: Worldwide
Literature:
Drebes, G. 1974. Marines Phytoplankton, Eine Auswahl der
Helgoländer Planktonalgen (Diatomeen, Peridineen). Georg Thieme
Verlag, Stuttgart. 186 pp.
Hasle, G. R. 1973b. Morphology and taxonomy of Skeletonema costatum. (Bacillariophyceae). Norw. J. Bot. 20: 109-137.
Hasle, G. R. & Syvertsen, E. E. 1996. Marine diatoms. In: Tomas, C. R. (ed.) Identifying marine diatoms and dinoflagellates. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, p. 5-385.
Medlin, L. K., Elwood, H. J., Stickel, S. & Sogin, M. L. 1991. Morphological and genetic variation within the diatom Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyta): evidence for a new species, Skeletonema pseudocostatum. J. Phycol. 27: 514-524.