Diatoms of North AmericaDiatoms of North America
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Compare Pseudostaurosira brevistriata

(Grunow) D.M.Williams and Round 1987

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Pseudostaurosira brevistriata can be confused with other ellipticial, araphid species. 

Smaller specimens may not be distinguishable from P. elliptica in LM.

Pseudostaurosira neoelliptica has round areolae and hollow spines.

Although Staurosira construens var. venter also possesses short striae, the striae are more narrow and composed of smaller areolae.

Pseudostaurosira microstriata has more apiculate apices and frustules have not been observed to form colonies.

LM scalebar = 10 µm
Pseudostaurosira brevistriata LM3 Pseudostaurosira brevistriata LM4 Pseudostaurosira brevistriata LM1 Pseudostaurosira brevistriata LM2 Pseudostaurosira brevistriata LM5
Length Range
10-26 µm
Width Range
3.5-4 µm
Striae in 10 µm
12-15

Pseudostaurosira elliptica

(Schum.) Edlund, E.Morales and S.A.Spauld. 2006

Pseudostaurosira elliptica LM5 Pseudostaurosira elliptica LM1 Pseudostaurosira elliptica LM3 Pseudostaurosira elliptica LM2 Pseudostaurosira elliptica LM6 Pseudostaurosira elliptica LM4
Length Range
6-14 µm
Width Range
3-3.5 µm
Striae in 10 µm
14-16

Pseudostaurosira neoelliptica

(Witkowski) E.Morales 2000

Pseudostaurosira neoelliptica LM1 Pseudostaurosira neoelliptica LM4 Pseudostaurosira neoelliptica LM5 Pseudostaurosira neoelliptica LM3 Pseudostaurosira neoelliptica LM2
Length Range
10-14 µm
Width Range
3-4 µm
Striae in 10 µm
12-15

Staurosira construens var. venter

(Ehrenb.) P.B.Ham. 1992

Staurosira construens var venter LM3 Staurosira construens var venter LM1 Staurosira construens var venter LM5 Staurosira construens var venter LM2 Staurosira construens var venter LM4
Length Range
5-26 µm
Width Range
4-5.5 µm
Striae in 10 µm
12-16

Pseudostaurosira microstriata

(Marciniak) Flower 2005

Pseudostaurosira microstriata LM3 Pseudostaurosira microstriata LM4 Pseudostaurosira microstriata LM5 Pseudostaurosira microstriata LM6 Pseudostaurosira microstriata LM7
Length Range
8.4-14.1 µm
Width Range
3.2-4.2 µm
Striae in 10 µm
15-19