''Thalassionema nitzschioides'' is a type of

phytoplankton Phytoplankton () are the autotrophic (self-feeding) components of the plankton community and a key part of ocean and freshwater ecosystems. The name comes from the Greek words (), meaning 'plant', and (), meaning 'wanderer' or 'drifter'. Ph ...

belonging to the

pennate Pinnation (also called pennation) is the arrangement of feather-like or multi-divided features arising from both sides of a common axis. Pinnation occurs in biological morphology, in crystals, such as some forms of ice or metal crystals, and ...

diatom A diatom (Neo-Latin ''diatoma''), "a cutting through, a severance", from el, διάτομος, diátomos, "cut in half, divided equally" from el, διατέμνω, diatémno, "to cut in twain". is any member of a large group comprising sev ...

group.

Characteristics

*Length (apical axis): 10 - 110 μm *Width: 2 - 4 μm *Height: 3 - 8 μm *Marginal areolae: 10 - 12 in 10 μm ''Thalassionema nitzschioides'' are a yellow brown color. Their cells are straight and linear and they connect to form zigzagging chains. The cells are rectangular shaped, with rounded ends, and the cells are connected at the ends of each other. “Sometimes an apical spine is present and the marginal ornamentation is visible as ribs.”

Global Distribution

''Thalassionema nitzschioides'' can be found all over the world except in polar regions along shallow coastal ocean waters. They occur all year round with higher concentrations in the spring and are usually found in high concentrations. Salinity and temperature conditions for optimal growth rate are 12-38 PPT and 15 °C respectively."The University of British Columbia." EOS. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q22286423 Fragilariophyceae Protists described in 1862 Diatom species