Taxon Description (Wikipedia)
Diatoms (Greek:
(dia) = "through" +
(temnein) = "to cut", i.e., "cut in half") are a major group of eukaryotic colonies in the shape of filaments or ribbons (e.g.
Fragillaria), fans (
Meridion), zigzags (
producers within the food chain. A characteristic feature of diatom cells is that they are encased within a unique cell wall made of Period. Diatom communities are a popular tool for monitoring environmental conditions, past and present, and are commonly used in studies of water quality. Scientists specializing in their study are sometimes called diatomists. full article at Wikipedia
