Discostella stelligera has larger cells, deep alveoli that occupy 25–40% of the valve radius, and straight, non-bifurcating costae. Discostella pseudostelligera has, on average, larger cells (4–15 μm in diameter) and prominent, distinctively shaped, external fultoportulae. Discostella glomerata has a size range of 4-15 μm (Houk et al. 2010) and possesses a fultoportula at the end of every marginal alveolus, a character that distinguishes it from other Discostella taxa.