Formally known as Cymatopleura solea, this specific diatom has had its name changed multiple times due to molecular genetic testing. It’s list of Homotypic Synonym(s) is quite impressive with everything from:
- Navicula librile
- Sphinctocystis librilis
- Frustulia librilis
- Cymatopleura librile
As you can see, and I hope you do more research on it, this diatom has been shuffled all around trying to find a true home. This diatom is a freshwater species and has been found all around the world, including places such as: Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Iceland, parts of North America, as well as in Asia and as far as Australia and New Zealand. Algaebase gives more information regarding found locations, and past names.
Diatoms.org has some great information regarding how to identify it based on morphological features. As with the last post, this diatom is very unique, and certainly is not to be confused with any other diatom. Its habitat is in the benthic layer, mostly found growing on fine sediment. Some key features are: Valves broadly linear with central constriction; raphe contained in a canal around the margin of the valve; and valve face undulate; also hefty size range (56-280 micrometers). What makes this diatom so unique is the undulations on the valve face, perpendicular to the apical axis (clearly visible in the picture below).
This Link has some awesome photos, if you want to check out more! Enjoy!
Science Thursday 