Chains at different focal planes. A&B = Living cells. A&B=(BF), C=(DIC)
Life-form: Cells united in chains
Size: Diameter = 8-130 µm, pervalvar axis 3-45 µm
Resting spore:
Note: With two different valves, bottom form which can be common in coastal plankton
Distinctive features:
Similar species:
Distribution: Worldwide
Literature:
Crawford, R. M. 1979. Taxonomy and frustular structure of the marine
centric diatom Paralia sulcata. Journal of Phycology. 15:
200-210.
Drebes, G. 1974. Marines Phytoplankton, Eine Auswahl der Helgoländer Planktonalgen (Diatomeen, Peridineen). Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart. 186 pp.
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.