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what helps narrow the ID?

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spiky spiral chains

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Chains of cells.
Has setae on the corners of cells
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Genus: Thalassiosira | Diatom

Common West Coast species: T. rotula, T. aestivalis, T. nordenskioldii, T. anguste-lineata

Order: Biddulphiales

Family: Thalassiosiraceae

Click on illustration to enlarge

Description: Well-studied marine genus with over 100 species. Discoid cells are in chains or are embedded in mucilage (i.e. T. subtilis). Chain-forming species are connected by a central organic thread. Numerous spine-like threads also extruded from strutted processes on valve margins.

Cell Size: Diameter (apical axis) = 3-186um

Distribution: Widespread throughout the world's oceans.

Images 3 and 4 of Thalassiosira punctigera, courtesy of W. Gurske. Collected at the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge, Fremont CA.
IFCB images
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2. 3. 4. Genus: Thalassiosira | Diatom Common West Coast species: T. rotula, T. aestivalis, T. nordenskioldii, T. anguste-lineata Order: Biddulphiales Family: Thalassiosiraceae Click on illustration to enlarge Description: Well-studied marine genus with over 100 species. Discoid cells are in chains or are embedded in mucilage (i.e. T. subtilis).

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Genus: Pseudo-nitzschia | Diatom

Common West Coast species: P. australis, P. multiseries, P. pungens, P. fraudulenta, P. pseudodelicatissima

Order: Bacillariales

Family:Bacillariaceae

Click on illustration to enlarge

Description: Cells are elongate, fusiform or rectangular in girdle view. Form chains by overlapping cell ends. Chains of 20 or more cells are not uncommon.

Cell Size: Width 2-8um, Length 40-175um

Distribution: Widespread

Interesting Facts: Many species produce domoic acid, a neurotoxin which is responsible for Amnesiac Shellfish Poisoning. In Monterey Bay, well-known toxin producers P. australis and P. multiseries often form dense blooms.

Bait fish, such as anchovies and sardines, may feed on these blooms and subsequently transfer the domoic acid to their predators which include seabirds and marine mammals. The toxin has a deleterious effect on these animals, often resulting in their deaths. Interestingly, the species of Pseudo-nitzchia capable of producing domoic acid do not do so all the time. The conditions that trigger toxin production are of great interest to researchers.
IFCB images

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Genus: Pseudo-nitzschia | Diatom Common West Coast species: P. australis, P. multiseries, P. pungens, P. fraudulenta, P. pseudodelicatissima Order: Bacillariales Family:Bacillariaceae Click on illustration to enlarge Description: Cells are elongate, fusiform or rectangular in girdle view. Form chains by overlapping cell ends. Chains of 20 or more cells are not uncommon.

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Genus: Chaetoceros | Diatom

Common West Coast species: C. didymus, C. decipiens, C. debilis, C. convolutus, C. constrictus, C. compressus, C. radicans

Order: Biddulphiales

Family: Chaetocerotaceae

Click on the illustrations to enlarge

Description: Cells form chains that are coiled, curved or straight. Long setae emerge from corners of cells. A few solitary species are found in Monterey Bay. One of the largest genera of diatoms, roughly 400 species, most of which are marine. Some species form resting spores and/or auxospores.

Cell Size: Width (apical axis) varies with species, roughly ranges from <10 um to 50um.
IFCB images
Distribution: Chaetoceros spp. are often dominant components of the phytoplankton community in Monterey Bay, and they are widespread throughout the world's oceans.

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Genus: Chaetoceros | Diatom Common West Coast species: C. didymus, C. decipiens, C. debilis, C. convolutus, C. constrictus, C. compressus, C. radicans Order: Biddulphiales Family: Chaetocerotaceae Click on the illustrations to enlarge Description: Cells form chains that are coiled, curved or straight. Long setae emerge from corners of cells.