Summary
Valve formation in a centric diatom,Chaetoceros rostratum Lauder is described. Following cytokinesis, an intracellular cytoplasmic strand traversed by mitochondria and microtubules remains between the sibling cells. The primary silicification site in the new cells is the eccentrically located labiate process area. A cytoplasmic labiate process apparatus is closely associated with labiate process formation. Silicification of the intercellular cytoplasmic strand results in firm intercellular linkage and division of elongated mitochondria. At intermediate developing stages, the valve has an unusual diagonal symmetry. The seta is the last valve component to be formed. Microtubules and a hitherto undescribed structure, the “striated dense body”, are involved in seta formation.
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Li, C.W., Volcani, B.E. Studies on the biochemistry and fine structure of silica shell formation in diatoms. Protoplasma 124, 30–41 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279721
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279721