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. By contrast, the distal raphe end of many Neidium species appear to bifurcate, but the structure is actually the edge of an apical flap, or lacinia.

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