Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Algal factsheet: Cyclotella cf stelligera (Stephanodiscaceae)


Diagnostic features

Cells short and drum-shaped (round in valve view, square to slightly rectangular in girdle view). There are numerous golden-brown chloroplasts.  In valve view, lines of silica can be seen radiating to the perimeter from a smoother central area.

Typical habitats

Often found in pond plankton, including in sewage ponds

Classification

Kingdom Chromista
Phylum Ochrophyta
Class Bacillariophyceae
Order Thalassiosirales
Family Stephanodiscaceae
Common name Diatoms