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Compare Nitzschia communis

Rabenh. 1860

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Nitzschia communis is quite readily identified by the shape of the valve, especially the broad apices. It might be confused with N. pusilla, which is shorter in length and has much finer striae, 43-55 in 10 µm (Krammer & Lange-Bertalot 1988). Nitzschia communis can be distinguished from N. minuta and N. palea with which is shares linear shape and fine striation, by its broadly rounded apices.

LM scalebar = 10 µm
Nitzschia communis LM1 Nitzschia communis LM5 Nitzschia communis LM3 Nitzschia communis LM4 Nitzschia communis LM2
Length Range
25-40 µm
Width Range
3-4 µm
Striae in 10 µm
32-38

Nitzschia minuta

Bleisch in Rabenh. 1860

Nitzschia minuta LM4 Nitzschia minuta LM6 Nitzschia minuta LM3 Nitzschia minuta LM1 Nitzschia minuta LM2 Nitzschia minuta LM5
Length Range
20-36 µm
Width Range
4.0-5.5 µm
Striae in 10 µm
Striae 36-39, fibulae 13-15

Nitzschia palea

(Kütz.) W.Sm. 1856

Nitzschia palea LM4 Nitzschia palea LM5 Nitzschia palea LM7 Nitzschia palea LM6 Nitzschia palea LM2 Nitzschia palea LM3 Nitzschia palea LM1
Length Range
12-42 µm
Width Range
3-4 µm
Striae in 10 µm
36-38

Also compare to

Nitzschia pusilla

(Kütz.) Lange-Bert. 1976