Stauroneis beeskovea shares the same valve shape and strongly radiate striae as S. mangelsdorffii, from which it may be distinguished by its larger valves (>70-80 µm long) and finer, more closely spaced areolae (>12-14 in 10 µm). Stauroneis subborealis has a lower stria density, less radiate striae and proximal raphe ends that are curved, rather than straight.