Genus Pinaciophora Greeff, 1873

Diagnosis: Cells globose to ovoid, covered with a layer of overlapping circular or oblong plate-scales. The cell diameter is variable (14-80 µm); the diameter of the scales is 3-6 µm. The plate-scales consist of 2 layers fused peripherally, elsewhere connected by intercalary material appearing as hexagonally arranged black dots. The proximal plate is perforated by many very minute pores and the distal plate is perforated by 4-24 large pores. The cytoplasm is colourless or reddishbrown. The fïlopodia are small and thin.
Type-species: Pinaciophora fluviatilis.