Compare Aulacoseira tenella

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Aulacoseira tenella can be confused with A. nivalis, which also has short oblique rows of mantle areolae, valve face covered by areolae, and shallow ringleiste. Aulacoseira tenella is smaller than A. nivalis, has small round mantle and valve face areolae, and short triangular spines, while A. nivalis has large elongated mantle areolae, large round valve face areolae, and thin pointed spines. When observed in valve view, A. tenella can be confused with A. nivaloides, which also has small round areolae on valve face, but A. tenella has shorter spines that A. nivaloides. It is necessary to observe these species in girdle view to identify them with certainty.