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Genus: Bacteriastrum | Diatom

Order: Biddulphiales
Family: Chaetocerotaceae

Description: Cylindrical cells bound together by the fusion of numerous setae that are regularly arranged around the cell margin. Cells have numerous small round chloroplasts. Setae are of varying shapes (branched, divided, curved).

Cell Size: Diameter (apical axis) = 5-56um

Distribution: Temperate, coastal waters.

Monterey Bay Species: B. cosmosum, B. hylinum.