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Central raphe

Slit-like canal (raphe) running down the centre of the cell surface, on at least one of the two cell faces.
[Achnanthes], Lake Waihola, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Achnanthes cf inflata (Achnanthaceae)

Boat-shaped in valve view; raphes on only one valve, the other valve lacking a central space between the striae; single cells may be enco...

[Achnanthidium], north Taranaki swamp, X400. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Achnanthidium (Achnanthidiaceae)

Valves boat-shaped with tapering ends in valve view; bent rectangular in girdle view; raphe on only one valve; other valve still has a sp...

[Cocconeis], Taieri River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Cocconeis placentula (Cocconeidaceae)

Oval to almost spherical in valve view; flattened; raphes on only one valve; commonly seen covering larger algae.

[Craticula molestiformis], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Craticula (Stauroneidaceae)

Valves boat-shaped in valve view, with tapering ends, often narrowed at the poles; striae parallel for almost the entire length of the ce...

[Diploneis], Cluthe River, X1600. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Diploneis cf elliptica (Diploneidaceae)

Oval with bluntly rounded ends in valve view; secondary lines (canals) on either side of the raphe; raphes on both valves.

[Eolimna], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Eolimna (Naviculaceae)

Small, boat-shaped with rounded ends in valve view, sternum present; raphes on both valves; chloroplasts lying entirely against cell wall...

[Fistulifera], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Fistulifera (Naviculaceae)

Cells small, ellipsoidal and lightly silicified, with very fine striae (difficult to see with a light microscope), and lobed chloroplast ...

[Frustulia], Flemming River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Frustulia (Amphipleuraceae)

Boat-shaped with tapering ends in valve view; raphes on both valves, enclosed in parallel longitudinal ribs that narrow to form a tip at ...

Naviculoids, Waiwera River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Naviculoid diatoms (Naviculaceae)

Boat shaped in valve view, with tapering ends; striae not prominent; raphes on both valves, not enclosed in longitudinal ribs; no cross-l...

[Pinnularia], Lake Tuakitoto, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Pinnularia (Pinnulariaceae)

Usually large, striae prominent, sternum wide, rectangular in girdle view, boat-shaped in valve view, with bluntly rounded to slightly na...

[Planothidium], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Planothidium (Achnanthidiaceae)

Boat-shaped with tapering ends in valve view, bent rectangular in girdle view; raphes on one valve only, with "horse shoe" on the other v...

[Rhoicosphenia], X1600. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Rhoicosphenia cf curvata (Rhoicospheniaceae)

Frustules curved in girdle view; slightly club-shaped in valve view; full raphes on one valve, short raphes on the other.

[Sellaphora], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Sellaphora (Sellaphoraceae)

Boat-shaped with bluntly rounded to slightly narrowed ends in valve view; cells relatively small; chloroplasts H-shaped in healthy materi...

[Stauroneis], Horne Creek, X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Stauroneis cf anceps (Stauroneidaceae)

Boat-shaped in valve view, with tapering ends; raphes on both valve faces; striae fine; cross-shaped structure at central area.