Gyrosigma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gyrosigma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gyrosigma acuminatum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Division: | Ochrophyta |
| Clade: | Bacillariophyta |
| Class: | Bacillariophyceae |
| Order: | Naviculales |
| Family: | Pleurosigmataceae |
| Genus: | Gyrosigma A.H.Hassall, 1845 |
Gyrosigma is a genus of diatoms belonging to the family Pleurosigmataceae.[1]
The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution.[1]
Like other diatoms, Gyrosigma has a siliceous cell wall called a frustule. The frustule is composed of two sections called valves, with one valve fitting inside the other valve similar to the two halves of a Petri dish.[2] Gyrosigma has valves with a central slit called a raphe, a structure that allows movement of these diatoms.[3]
The valves of Gyrosigma are sigmoid in outline, as well as the raphe. Striations could be parallel or perpendicular to the raphe. This contrasts to a similar genus Pleurosigma, which has striations that lie diagonally to the raphe.[3]
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