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Planothidium

Planothidium are monoraphid diatoms which usually have an asymmeterical central area.  Their striae seem wide and coarse because they are made up of multiple rows of areolae, although this isn't easily seen under a light microscope.  Internally, many species have a "hood" or "cave" which is responsible for their asymmetric nature.

P. lanceolatum

  • Cells are 7-24 µm in length, 4.5-8 µm in width.

  • Rows of striae per 10 µm are 12-15 on raphe valve, 9-12 on rapheless valve.

  • The raphe valve has symmetrically shortened striae at its center. 

  • The rapheless valve has a depression with no striae on one side of its center. (below)

For more information, visit diatoms.org here.

Unidentified Planothidium sp.

  • This specimen does not seem to easily fall under any of the Planothidium species available to compare it to.  Its wide shape, short length, and long but untouching striae make it seem closest to P. frequentissimum or P. abbreviatum.

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