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Cocconeis placentula

Algal factsheet: Cocconeis placentula (Cocconeidaceae)

Cocconeis, Taieri River, X640
Cocconeis, Shag River, X640

Diagnostic features

Valves differ from each other (only one has a raphe; i.e. the genus is monoraphid). Oval to almost circular in valve view. Often attached in large numbers to plant surfaces. The species is flat, as opposed to C. pediculus which is curved ("saddle-shaped").

Typical habitats

Moderate to good quality streams and rivers everywhere

Classification

Kingdom	Chromista
Phylum	Ochrophyta
Class	Bacillariophyceae
Order	Achnanthales
Family	Cocconeidaceae
Common name	Diatoms