GLOSSARY

130 terms and definitions

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About these terms

Note that many diatom terms are specific to a particular taxonomic group (i.e. family or genus). In some cases, a single term has a different meaning depending on the taxon. For example, the stigma of Gomphonema is a different structure than the stigma of Luticola. We have encouraged contributors to use terms that describe valve shape in the same way. However, we recognize that contributors may use shape terms differently, for example, the "subrostrate ends" of one contributor may be somewhat different than another. In these cases, images are more helpful.

We welcome additions to the glossary. But please note that we are limiting our terms to those used on this site; we are not trying to build an exhaustive list. But, if you think we've missed a critical term for a particular taxon, please send us your definition, source, publication, etc. (Contact Us).

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