Stephanodiscus

Stephanodiscus
Stephanodiscus hantzschii
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Sar
Clade:	Stramenopiles
Phylum:	Ochrophyta
Clade:	Diatomeae
Class:	Mediophyceae
Order:	Thalassiosirales
Family:	Stephanodiscaceae
Genus:	Stephanodiscus Castracane, 1886

Stephanodiscus is a genus of centric diatoms, belong to the family Stephanodiscaceae. ^[1] These diatoms are single-celled, photosynthetic algae characterized by circular, radially symmetrical silica cell walls (frustules). ^[2]

They are commonly found in freshwater environments, such as lakes and rivers, and are ecologically significant as primary producers in aquatic food webs. ^[3] Stephanodiscus species, like Stephanodiscus hantzschii or Stephanodiscus niagarae , are often used as indicators of environmental conditions, including water quality and nutrient levels, due to their sensitivity to changes in their habitat. ^[4] Their intricate frustule patterns are also studied in paleolimnology to reconstruct past environmental conditions. ^[5]

References

1. Guiry, M.D. (2025). AlgaeBase. Accessed: 26 October 2025.
2. Round, F. E.; Crawford, R. M.; Mann, D. G. (1990-05-25). Diatoms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 148. ISBN   978-0-521-36318-1.
3. Reynolds, C. S. (2006-05-04). The Ecology of Phytoplankton. Cambridge University Press. p. 324. ISBN   978-1-139-45489-6.
4. Fritz, S. C.; Juggins, S.; Battarbee, R. W.; Engstrom, D. R. (1991). "Reconstruction of past changes in salinity and climate using a diatom-based transfer function". Nature. 352 (6337): 706–708. doi:10.1038/352706a0. ISSN   0028-0836 . Retrieved 2025-10-26.
5. Gasse, F (1997). "Diatom-inferred salinity in palaeolakes: An indirect tracer of climate change". Quaternary Science Reviews. 16 (6): 547–563. doi:10.1016/S0277-3791(96)00081-9 . Retrieved 2025-10-26.