Diatoms of North AmericaDiatoms of North America
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Guide to Iconella guatimalensis

(Ehrenb.) Ruck and Nakov 2016

Iconella guatamalensis guide
  1. Valves large
  2. Valve surface appears structureless
  3. Valves heteropolar
  4. Head pole with depression
  5. Costae short

Valves are heteropolar and flat, except for a depression at the head pole. The fibula density is 28-31 in 100 µm. The costae are short, while areolae and striae are delicate, which makes the valves appear structureless under LM. The raphe is positioned within a marginal canal, raised onto a keel, and supported by alar canals.

The large, flat, and structureless valves of Iconella guatimalensis are distinct and unlikely to be confused with any other diatom species.