Ehrenberg 1842 Category: Araphid
TYPE SPECIES: Staurosira construens Ehrenberg
Smallest to largest - 4 taxa sorted by maximum length
Staurosira valves are elliptical or cruciform in outline. In girdle view, the frustules are rectangular in shape. Cells often form colonies, joined by interlinking spines. The striae are narrow and composed of small, round areolae. Striae do not meet one another in the central sternum. Valves lack rimoportulae.
Staurosira includes the former Fragilaria construens and its relatives. In the light microscope it can be distinguished from Staurosirella based on the structure of the striae. The striae of Staurosira are composed of round areolae, while the striae of Staurosirella are lineolate.
Cite This Page:
Spaulding, S., and Edlund, M. (2008). Staurosira. In Diatoms of the United States. Retrieved May 02, 2016, from http://westerndiatoms.colorado.edu/taxa/genus/Staurosira