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Diagnostic features

Pennate diatom, valves boat-shaped in valve view, cruciform (cross-like) or with an undulate outline in some species; rectangular in girdle view. Valves identical, neither possessing a raphe (genus is araphid). Striae do not meet in centre of the valve, where there is a thickened central sternum.  Chloroplasts golden brown.

Typical habitats

The specimen photographed was from a lowland river

Classification

Kingdom Chromista
Phylum Ochrophyta
Class Bacillariophyceae
Order Fragilariales
Family Fragilariaceae
Common name Diatoms