Home / Diatoms / Pennate / Unicells / Biraphes / Symmetric / Frustulia
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Name derivation:
Greek Frustu meaning a piece or part and lei meaning smooth.
Classification:
Frustulia Rabenhorst 1853; 96 of 215 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2014). Order Naviculales; Family Amphipleuaraceae
Morphology:
Single cells usually found in valve view. Elongated linear to lanceolate cells with rounded poles. The valve face is flat with longitudinal ribs that extend throughout the length of the cell. At each end the ribs join to form a single tip that looks like a crayon.. Cells contain one H-shaped plastid.
Similar genera:
Habitat:
Found as single cells or joined together within muscilaginous tubes. Freshwater to slightly brackish waters. Abundant in acidic waters with low conductivity.
References:
Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2014. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 30 May 2014. Round, F. E., Crawford, R. M., Mann, D. G. 1990. The Diatoms. Cambridge University Press. New York, NY. Wehr, J., Sheath, R. 2003. Freshwater Algae of North America Ecology and Classification. Academis Press. San Diego, CA.