Lyngbye 1819 Category: Araphid
TYPE SPECIES: Fragiliaria pectinalis (O. Müller) Lyngbye
Fragilaria frustules are rectangular to lanceolate in girdle view. The pattern of ornamentation on the valve face is variable, but a central sternum is generally present. Frustules are joined by small marginal spines to form ribbon like (band-shaped) colonies. A single rimoportula is present, usually positioned at a distal end. Small, apical porefields are also present. Living cells contain plastids composed of 2 plates, positioned against the valve face.
Fragilaria is often abundant in the plankton of lakes, including the species F. crotonensis, F. capucina, and F. vaucheria. Like Asterionella formosa, F. crotonensis is a species that is considered to have a world wide distribution and is also considered to be introduced by human activities.
A broad concept of Fragilaria is applied in Krammer and Lange-Bertalot (1991), while a much narrower concept is applied in Williams and Round (1987). Depending upon the school that a particular author follows, species may be considered within Fragilaria, Synedra, or a number of other genera. This website generally follows the work of Williams and Round (1987).
Cite This Page:
Spaulding, S., and Edlund, M. (2008). Fragilaria. In Diatoms of the United States. Retrieved August 01, 2015, from http://westerndiatoms.colorado.edu/taxa/genus/Fragilaria