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Cavinula

Cavinula are small oval-shaped diatoms with pronounced and radiate areolae.  Their raphe tend to end before they reach the edge of the valve's pole.  Cavinula are known for living in clear lakes, and so may be a sign of good water quality and low nutrients.

C. scutelloides

  • Cells are 13-24 µm in length, 10-15 µm in width.

  • Rows of striae are 6-8 per 10 µm.

  • Striae are distinctly radiate and composed of coarse, elliptic areolae. 

  • Striae alternate long and short at the central area, and are more dense towards the poles.

For more information, visit diatoms.org here.

All images taken and owned by Thomas Shannon, in association with the University of Wisconsin - Madison and the UW-Madison Center for Limnology.

For information on image use, please contact tshannon3@wisc.edu

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