Order: Biddulphiales
Family: Chaetocerotaceae
 
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Description: Cells form chains that are coiled, curved or straight. Long setae emerge from corners of cells. A few solitary species are found in Monterey Bay. One of the largest genera of diatoms, roughly 400 species, most of which are marine. Some species form resting spores and or auxospores.
Cell Size: Width (apical axis) varies with species, roughly ranges from <10 um to 50um.
Distribution: Chaetoceros spp. are often dominant components of the phytoplankton in Monterey Bay and widespread throughout the world’s oceans.
Monterey Bay Species: C. didymus, C. decipiens, C. debilis, C. convolutus, C. constrictus, C. compressus, C. radicans.
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