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.
Naviculoid
Naviculoid refers to diatoms in the genus Navicula or are similar in shape to Navicula. Naviculoid means "resembles Navicula", so it is not a formal term. It could refer to any diatom that is symmetric and biraphid.
A naviculoid valve margin has the shape of a boat. The genus Navicula was described in 1822 by Bory for having this shape.
Image Credit: Mark Edlund
Image Credit: Mark Edlund
Living cell of Navicula showing the cell cytoplasm, including the marginal chloroplasts. The genus was named for having a naviculoid shape.