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Name derivation:
“Plume space” – plume (pinnul-) space (-aria)
Classification:
Pinnularia Ehrenberg 1843; 524 of 2,542 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Naviculales; Family Pinnulariaceae
Morphology:
Unicellular diatom, bilaterally symmetric, with relatively pronounced "costae" (thickened silica rows) between striations bearing two or three rows of punctae. A relatively large pennate diatom.
Similar genera:
Navicula has narrower striations with a single row of punctae, and lacks costae.
Habitat:
The relatively dense cells tend to be littoral-benthic, therefore meroplanktonic.
References:
Ehrenberg, C.G. 1843. Mittheilungen über 2 neue asiatische Lager fossiler Infusorien-Erden aus dem russischen Trans-Kaukasien (Grusien) und Sibirien. Bericht über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königlich-Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1843: 43-49. Guiry, M.D. in Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 18 January 2013. 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.