Glossary
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Valvocopula
A valvocopula is the copula immediately adjacent to a valve. The plural is valvocopulae.
In some genera, the valvocopula may have additional structures associated with it, including septae or partecta.
See also copula, valve, and cingulum.
Alternative Terms
- first girdle band
Image Credit: Adapted from Round et al. 1990.
Image Credit: Eduardo Morales
Image Credit: Adapted from Round et al. 1990.
Illustration of a diatom frustule showing the two valvocopulae in dark blue.
Image Credit: Eduardo Morales
Scanning electron micrograph of both cingula of Staurosira construens with the bands of silica, the copulae, composing them. The arrows indicate the first copula, or valvocopula, of each cingulum.