In all cases this variety is smaller and more delicate than the nominant but overlaa it's combinations and specific characteristics are sufficient to keep it seperate from the nominant. (The nominant is heteropolar with apical ends, ovoid to ellipsoid with blunt circular ends. The gurtle view is wedge-shaped with blunt circular ends. The wing is strongly developed with an outright wing projection.)
Found in lakes, ponds, springs/ streams, and pools pH: Acidophilous, indifferent, and alkailphilous. (Beaver 1981).
Navicula splendida Ehrenberg 1831 (1832), p. 81; Ehrenberg 1833, p. 259; Ehrenberg 1838, p. 186, 14/1 Novilla splendida (Ehrenberg1832) Cleve 1868, p. 232 Surirella splendida (Ehrenberg 1832),Kutzing 1844, p. 62 7/9 Surirella ovalis var. fissilisM. Peragallo in Heribaud et al. 1920, p. 96, 3/6 Surirella robusta var. splendida f. typica Cleve-Euler 1952, p. 104, fig. 1524 h Surirella splendida var. genuinaMayer 1912, p. 338, 19/1, 20/1, 2