A = Vegetative cells ( BF); B = Vegetative cells (PC); C = Vegetative cells (BF); D and E = Resting spores at two focal planes (arrow = spines) (BF), A - B and D - E living cells and C Lugolfixation
Life-form: Cells united in chains
Size: Diameter = 12-40 µm
Resting spore: +
Note: What have been referred to C. brevis could possibly belong to several species according to Rines & Hargraves (1988). In the material from Skagerrak the outer valve of the resting spores had spine like extensions.
Distinctive features:
Similar species: Chaetoceros laciniosus C. pseudobrevis
Distribution:
Literature:
Gran, H. H. 1908. Diatomeen. In: Brandt, K. & Apstein, C. (eds),
Nordisches Plankton 19: 1-146.
Jensen, K. G. & Moestrup, Ø. 1998. The genus Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyceae) in inner Danish coastal waters. Opera Botanica. 133: 1-68.
Rines, J. E. B. & Hargraves, P. E. 1988. The Chaetoceros Ehrenberg (Bacillariophyceae) flora of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA. Bibliotheca Phycologica 79: 1-196
Sundström, B. 1973. Chaetoceros arter i Öresund. MSc. Thesis Univ. of Lund. 77 pp.