Diatoms of North AmericaDiatoms of North America

Glossary

Like the rest of this website, the glossary is a work in progress. If we’ve missed a term, please contact us to let us know the term and references.

Bifurcate

Bifurcate refers to a structure where one branch divides into two branches. The term is used to describe the branching of the distal raphe fissure of some diatoms.

For example, the distal raphe fissure is bifurcate in the genus Muelleria. Similarly, the distal raphe fissure of many Neidium species possesses an apical flap and appears to be bifurcate.

See also the descriptions and SEM images of Muelleria spauldingiae and the genus description for Neidium (https://diatoms.org/genera/nei...) in this flora.

Bifurcate
Image Credit: Sarah Spaulding
The distal raphe of Muelleria peraustralis bifurates at the valve termination.
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