Diatoms of North AmericaDiatoms of North America
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Compare Pinnularia alabamae

Krammer 2000

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Pinnularia bihastata and P. rexlowei are both similar in valve outline. However, both taxa are much smaller.

Pinnularia bihastata has smaller spines located on each virga, has expanded central pores, and has longer internal openings of the alveoli. This last feature creates the appearance of a longitudinal line crossing striae close to axial area.

Pinnularia ectorii is slightly smaller, has less capitate apices, and lacks spines on the valve margin.

LM scalebar = 10 µm
Pinnularia alabamae LM5 Pinnularia alabamae LM4 Pinnularia alabamae LM1 Pinnularia alabamae LM7 Pinnularia alabamae LM2 Pinnularia alabamae LM3 Pinnularia alabamae LM6
Length Range
180-370 µm
Width Range
32-48 µm
Striae in 10 µm
5-6

Pinnularia bihastata

(Mann) R.M.Patrick 1966

Pinularia bihastata LM6 Pinularia bihastata LM5 Pinularia bihastata LM7 Pinularia bihastata LM1 Pinularia bihastata LM4 Pinularia bihastata LM3 Pinularia bihastata LM2
Length Range
142-208 µm
Width Range
26-30 µm
Striae in 10 µm
5-6

Pinnularia rexlowei

Potapova, Kersey and Aycock 2023

Pinnularia rexlowei LM1 Pinnularia rexlowei LM5 Pinnularia rexlowei LM2 Pinnularia rexlowei LM3 Pinnularia rexlowei LM4 Pinnularia rexlowei LM6
Length Range
135–188 µm
Width Range
18–23 µm
Striae in 10 µm
7-8

Pinnularia ectorii

Potapova, Aycock and Kersey 2023

Pinnularia ectorii LM5 Pinnularia ectorii LM6 Pinnularia ectorii LM6 Pinnularia ectorii LM3 Pinnularia ectorii LM4 Pinnularia ectorii LM1 Pinnularia ectorii LM2
Length Range
185–335 µm
Width Range
29–44 µm
Striae in 10 µm
5–6 throughout the valve, up to 9 around central area