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Compare Melosira varians

C.Agardh 1827

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Melosira varians has more lightly silicified cell walls than Melosira lineata. The valve mantle of M. varians is relatively thin and straight, as compared to the thick, curved interior mantle of M. lineata. While M. varians is a very common diatom, M. lineata is restricted to low nutrient waters of the western US.

LM scalebar = 10 µm
Melosira varians LM6 Melosira varians LM1 Melosira varians LM2 Melosira varians LM4 Melosira varians LM7 Melosira varians LM3
Diameter
6-30 µm
Width Range
5-15 µm

Also compare to

Melosira lineata

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