| Gyrosigma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gyrosigma acuminatum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Phylum: | Gyrista |
| Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
| Class: | Bacillariophyceae |
| Order: | Naviculales |
| Family: | Pleurosigmataceae |
| Genus: | Gyrosigma A.H.Hassall, 1845 |
Gyrosigma is a genus of diatoms belonging to the family Pleurosigmataceae. [1]
The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution. [1]
Like other diatoms, Gyrosigma has a siliceous cell wall called a frustule. The frustule is composed of two sections called valves, with one valve fitting inside the other valve similar to the two halves of a Petri dish. [2] Gyrosigma has valves with a central slit called a raphe, a structure that allows movement of these diatoms. [3]
The valves of Gyrosigma are sigmoid in outline, as well as the raphe. Striations could be parallel or perpendicular to the raphe. This contrasts to a similar genus Pleurosigma , which has striations that lie diagonally to the raphe. [3]
