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.

Separation spines

In certain species of Aulacoseira, long spines formed by some valves which cause frustules within a chain to separate from each other. By contrast, short, linking spines join frustules together.

A Granulata Separationspines 1
Image Credit: Marina Potapova
Aulacoseira granulata is one of the species that forms separation spines and linking spines. Here, a valve has three separation spines.
A Muzzanensis Separationspines
Image Credit: Marina Potapova
The separation spines of A. muzzanensis are long and coarse.
A Granulata Separationspines
Image Credit: Marina Potapova
Separation spines are one of the diagnostic features of A. granulata.
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