Nitzschia dissipata

Valves linear to lanceolate, with rostrate ends slightly to strongly protracted. Length is 11-72 µm, width 3-8 µm. The canal raphe is prominent and slightly eccentric, or may be positioned central axis of the valve. Fibulae are distinct and parallel to the transapical axis. Interspaces of the fibulae are rectangular to square, 5-12 in 10 µm. A conopeum is present and recognizable under LM as two parallel lines on either side of the raphe. Transapical striae are not discernable or only faintly visible under the light microscope. Viewed with SEM, striae number 32-50 in 10 µm. Each stria is composed of a single row of small round to oval areolae (40-70 in 10 µm). The terminal raphe fissure is hooked and sometimes projects widened or bifurcate in LM.