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Guide to Sellaphora californica

Potapova in Potapova and Charles 2004

Sellaphora Californica Guide
Credit: Marina Potapova
  1. Valves elliptic with rostrate apices
  2. Thin grooves along each side of raphe
  3. Grooves covered by conopea
  4. Central area transversely rectangular or bow-tie-shaped

Valves are elliptic with rostrate apices. Valves are 23-40 μm long and 8-10 μm wide. Raphe branches have one very thin groove (1 µm wide) on either side, covered by a conopea. Grooves and conopea are discontinuous at the central area. The striae are strongly radiate, becoming convergent near the apices. The central area is transverse, often bow-tie-shaped and bordered by irregularly shortened striae.