In girdle view, the cells appear taller than they are wide, and there are very narrow, slitlike apertures between the valves. The intercalary setae are positioned in a plane that is roughly perpendicular to the chain axis. As for the terminal setae, they are widely spaced and diverge significantly. The chains themselves have a slight twist to them. However, the most notable characteristic is the resting spores, which are highly vaulted and covered in spines.