Extracts of North Sea macroalgae reveal specific activity patterns against attachment and proliferation of benthic diatoms: a laboratory study

A variety of macroalgae (Ceramium rubrum, Corallina officinalis, Palmaria palmata, Mastocarpus stellatus, Fucus vesiculosus, Cladophora rupestris, Ulva sp.) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy to visualize epiphytic colonizers. The macroalgae differed in terms of their epiphytic coverage of bacteria, fungi and diatoms. Macroalgae, largely devoid of epiphytic diatoms, were hypothesized to employ effective antifouling means to reduce epiphytic coverage, whilst heavily fouled macroalgae were proposed to lack antifouling strategies. To test these hypotheses from an allelochemical perspective with regard to fouling diatoms, dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) crude extracts of macroalgae were concentrated in dimethylsulfoxide and investigated in diatom attachment and proliferation assays using four benthic diatoms (Nitzschia sp., Navicula phyllepta, Navicula arenaria and Amphora sp.). Algal extracts exhibited a distinct pattern of activity against the test diatoms, suggesting a targeted and selective effect of macroalgal metabolites on individual fouling diatoms. The main outcome of this study was that visual inspection and quantitative categorization of epiphytic colonizers on macroalgal thalli could not be used to predict reliably whether macroalgae employed a chemical defense mechanism.     

Changes in eicosapentaenoic acid content of Navicula saprophila, Rhodomonas salina and Nitzschia sp. under mixotrophic conditions

Three species of microalgae able to produce eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) were collected from brackish and sea water around Japan. The species were identified as Navicula saprophila, Rhodomonassalina and Nitzschia sp. EPA as a proportion of total fatty acids increased in the presence of acetic acid for Rhodomonas salina and Nitzschia sp. However, Navicula saprophila displayed the greatest productivity of EPA and the EPA content of its biomass was enhanced under mixotrophic conditions in the presence of acetic acid. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Antifouling activities of octocorals on some marine microfoulers

The antifouling activities of vacuum-dried 70% aqueous alcohol extracts of four gorgonian and five soft corals against four dominant marine fouling diatoms (Navicula subinflata Grun, N. crucicula Smith, Amphora sp., Nitzschia sp.) are described. Of the 36 possible combinations (9 corals x 4 diatoms) 23 of the interactions (64%) showed 100% activity. Extracts of the gorgonian coral Echinogorgia complexa Nutting and the soft coral Dendronephthya (Morchellana) sp. showed 100% growth inhibition against all four fouling diatoms, implying the presence of potent broad spectrum antifouling compounds; other extracts showed more limited species specificity. Exposed cells when transferred to extract-free media, resumed normal growth indicating a nontoxic way of action. The effective concentration for 50% growth inhibition of the attached cells (EC50) varied for each extract and test organism used. The EC50 values for the extract of the gorgonian coral E. complexa against the fouling diatoms ranged from 86 microg/ml (N. subinflata) to 505 microg/ml (Amphora sp.) whereas the EC50 values for extracts of the soft coral Dendronephthya (Morchellana) sp. varied from 28 microg/ml (N. crucicula) to 415 microg/ml (Amphora sp.). The results support the hypothesis that octocorals contain antifouling agents, which could be exploited for the development of nontoxic natural antifouling technology.     

The development of marine biofilms on two commercial non-biocidal coatings: a comparison between silicone and fluoropolymer technologies

The antimicrobial performance of two fouling-release coating systems, Intersleek 700? (IS700; silicone technology), Intersleek 900? (IS900; fluoropolymer technology) and a tie coat (TC, control surface) was investigated in a short term (10 days) field experiment conducted at a depth of ca 0.5 m in the Marina Bandar Rawdha (Muscat, Oman). Microfouling on coated glass slides was analyzed using epifluorescence microscopy and adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) luminometry. All the coatings developed biofilms composed of heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, seven species of diatoms (2 species of Navicula, Cylindrotheca sp., Nitzschia sp., Amphora sp., Diploneis sp., and Bacillaria sp.) and algal spores (Ulva sp.). IS900 had significantly thinner biofilms with fewer diatom species, no algal spores and the least number of bacteria in comparison with IS700 and the TC. The ATP readings did not correspond to the numbers of bacteria and diatoms in the biofilms. The density of diatoms was negatively correlated with the density of the bacteria in biofilms on the IS900 coating, and, conversely, diatom density was positively correlated in biofilms on the TC. The higher antifouling efficacy of IS900 over IS700 may lead to lower roughness and thus lower fuel consumption for those vessels that utilise the IS900 fouling-release coating.     

OCCURRENCE OF THREE NITZSCHIA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) TAXA WITHIN COLONIES OF TUBE-FORMING DIATOMS1

In benthic samples from the unchannelized Missouri River, the diatoms Nitzschia dissipata (Kütz.) Grun., N. filiformis (W. Sm.) Schütt and N. pseudofonticola Hust. were observed within the mucilage tubes of four tube-forming diatoms: Cymbella prostrata (Berk.) Cl., C. prostrata var. auerswaldii (Rabh.) Reim., Navicula tripunctata var. schizonemoides (V.H.) Patr., and Nitzschia filiformis. Microscopical observations of live and preserved specimens indicated that “invasion” by Nitzschia occurred primarily in older tubes. Data are presented on the environmental conditions in which the tube-formers and their cohabitants have been found.     

DEVELOPMENT OF IMMUNOASSAYS FOR THE IRON‐REGULATED PROTEINS FERREDOXIN AND FLAVODOXIN IN POLAR MICROALGAE1

While the growth of Southern Ocean phytoplankton is often limited by iron availability, there are no comparable experiments on sea‐ice algae. Here we assess the use of ferredoxin and flavodoxin to investigate the iron nutritional status of sea‐ice algae and describe the development of a quantitative immunoassay for both proteins in marine diatoms. High‐affinity monoclonal antibodies toward both proteins were produced from Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenb.) J. M. Lewin et Reimann, and these were used to develop Western blots. Western blots run on whole protein extracts detected both proteins with little cross‐reactivity toward other proteins. The two proteins could be successfully quantitated when applied to gels at between 5 and 50 ng in a volume of 25 μL (0.2–2 μg · mL^?1). Flavodoxin and ferrodoxin expression was examined in the Antarctic diatoms Entomoneis kjellmannii (Cleve) Poulin et Cardinal, Navicula directa (W. Sm.) Ralfs, Fragilariopsis curta (Van Heurck) Hust., Pseudo‐nitzschia sp., Porosira glacialis (Grunow) E. G. Jørg., Fragilariopsis cylindrus (Grunow) Willi Krieg., Fragilariopsis sublinearis (Van Heurck) Heiden et Kolbe, C. closterium, Nitzschia lecointei Van Heurck, and the dinoflagellate Polarella glacialis Montresor, Procaccini et Stoecker. Two Arctic isolates were also examined, Nitzschia frigida (Grunow) and Fragilariopsis oceanica (Cleve) Hasle. Significant heterogeneity of protein expression was observed despite all cultures being grown in iron‐replete f/2 medium. Only one species, F. cylindrus, displayed the expected expression of ferredoxin only in iron‐replete medium. Four were observed to produce both proteins under iron‐replete conditions. Ferredoxin was not detected at all in F. curta and Pseudo‐nitzschia sp., but distinct flavodoxin bands were observed in both of these organisms. All species examined were observed to express either flavodoxin or ferredoxin or both of the proteins as determined by Western immunoblotting.     

On microalgal settlements and the sluggish development of marine biofouling in Port Blair waters, Andamans

Settlement of microalgae was investigated on Perspex, aluminium and zinc coupons immersed in Port Blair Bay waters for over 3 months. Commencement of fouling was exceptionally slow, and few microalgae were found until 14 days. Settlement occurred thereafter, and 47 microalgal species contributed to the fouling. The dominant forms belonged to the genera Navicula and Nitzschia, whereas Coscinodiscus eccentricus, Gyrosigma balticum and Trichodesmium erythraeum also accounted for high proportions of the settlements. The dominance of Nitzschia sigma was particularly marked on zinc coupons, suggesting an ability by the organism to resist toxicity. Settlement of both centric and pennate diatoms was observed in the early and mid periods, and absolute dominance of the pennate diatoms subsequently. The fouling mass was low even after 103 days, and it is speculated that strong ultraviolet radiation might be the prime reason for the sluggish development of marine biofouling in these oceanic island waters.     

Diatom symbionts in larger foraminifera from Caribbean hosts

Larger foraminifera, as a group, are the hosts for many different types of algae. The majority of modern families host small (< 10 μm) pennate endosymbiotic diatoms. In these, the host/symbiont relationship is not finical. Studies from hosts harvested from Indo-Pacific habitats have shown some symbiont species are found with greater frequency than others, but any one of twenty different diatom species may be found in the same host. This study examined the endosymbionts from two diatom-bearing hosts from the Caribbean, Amphistigina gibbosa and Heterostegina antillarum. A high number of hosts harbored more than one symbiont species. A new variety of Nitzschia frustulum was involved in many (33%) of the symbioses. Many of the isolates of this taxon, if it is to be considered only one, are extremely aberrant forms for the genus. Another common (18%) isolate was an unidentified species of Navicula. A highly variable Amphora sp. was also isolated. These taxa will require more detailed examination in the future. Many of the isolates from the Caribbean hosts also were known as endosymbionts from previous studies: Nitzschia laevis N. frustulum var. symbiotica N. valdestriata, Amphora tenerrima, Navicula muscatini, Cocconeis andersoni and Fragillaria shiloi. A number of endosymbiotic species, common in Indo-Pacific hosts, were not found in the Caribbean hosts studied. The results of the present study are in consonance with those of previous studies.     

Alkaline soda Lake Velika Rusanda (Serbia): the first insight into diatom diversity of this extreme saline lake

Alkaline soda lakes are unique habitats found in specific geographic regions, usually with dry climate. The Carpathian Basin is one of those regions very important for habitat and biodiversity conservation in Europe, with natural soda lakes found in Austria, Hungary and Serbia. In comparison to other two countries from Central Europe, algal biodiversity studies of saline soda lakes in Serbia are scarce. Lake Velika Rusanda has the highest measured salinity of all saline lakes in the Carpathian Basin and there were no reports of its diatom species richness and diversity till now. We conducted 2-year investigation programme to study biodiversity and seasonal dynamics of diatoms in this lake. A total of 27 diatom taxa were found, almost all of them attached to reed and much less in benthos and plankton. Five new diatom species for Serbia were recorded, Craticula halopannonica, Navicymbula pusilla, Hantzschia weyprechtii, Nitzschia thermaloides and Navicula staffordiae. The last mentioned is new for Europe as well. Lake Velika Rusanda is inhabited mostly by alkaliphilous and halophilic diatoms. Since diatoms are used as bioindicators in soda lakes, our results will improve their further application in ecological status assessment of these fragile habitats in the Carpathian Basin.

     

Induction of larval metamorphosis in the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus by periphitic diatoms

The mass production of juvenile seeds of the sea cucumber,Stichopus japonicus has recently developed by the SeaFarming Center of Saga Prefecture. Methods for the culture ofperiphicic diatoms have been improved. There are three importantsteps in propagating the diatoms. The first step is theenrichment, with the addition of the nutrient salts, undercontrolled light intensity. The second step is washing withhigh pressure seawater and reversal of the plates. The laststep is elimination of copepods, which feed on diatoms, usinga pesticide. Small periphitic diatoms such as Navicula,Amphora, Achnanthes, and Nitzschia are easily culturedat a density of more than one million cells cm^–2, andthese diatoms are able to induce larval metamorphosis andserve as a food source for juvenile sea cucumbers.     

Stomach content analysis of Mugil cephalus and Mugil curema (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) with emphasis on diatoms in the Tamiahua lagoon,México

A year-long research on the Mugil cephalus and M. curema diet was conducted. The food content in the cardiac portion of 192 stomachs revealed a great similarity in both species leading to two conclusions: sediments are their basic food and high levels of benthic diatoms are dominant. A total of 130 taxa were found (Nitzschia, Navicula, Amphora, and Cocconeis dominated). Other food components were: Foraminifera, Nematoda, Copepoda, Ostracoda, Amphipoda, Pelecypoda, Gastropoda, eggs of invertebrates, and undetermined organic matter.     

汾河水库及河道中优势硅藻生态位的研究

采用Levins生态位宽度公式和Petrailis生态位特定重叠指数测定了汾河水库和河道中 5 0个主要硅藻种的生态位宽度和生态位重叠 ,并对生态位宽度和生态位重叠的关系进行了初步探讨 ,结果表明 ,着生硅藻中的原子舟形藻、眼斑小环藻、平卧桥弯藻、尖菱形藻、短小舟形藻、线形曲壳藻、阿尔夫舟形藻等生态位最大 ,浮游硅藻中 ,以具星小环藻、团聚小环藻、眼斑小环藻生态位最宽 ;同时表明 ,生态位宽度大的种与其它种的生态位重叠也较大。生态位重叠表明 ,着生硅藻中 ,生态位重叠普遍偏高 ,河道中 ,清洁水体指示种普通等片藻进攻性最强 ,水库中以α -中污和 β-中污带生物比索曲壳藻进攻性最高。从生态位普遍重叠指数分析 ,浮游硅藻明显小于着生硅藻 ,表明浮游生境下 ,硅藻分化明显 ,着生环境中 ,硅藻对资源利用充分     

Growth inhibition of fouling diatoms by antipatharian colonies

Growth inhibition of four dominant marine fouling diatoms by alcohol extracts of antipatharian colonies, collected off the east coast of India, are reported here. Of the three antipatharian colonies tested one antipatharian inhibited the growth of all the four fouling diatoms on glass surface, implying the presence of potent algal growth inhibitors whilst the other extracts were species specific in their action. The same cells exhibited normal growth, when transferred in extract free media, indicating a nontoxic mode of action. The effective concentration for 50% inhibition (EC50) ranged from 90 microg/ml (Nitzschia sp.) to 756 microg/ml (Amphora sp). The EC50 values for N. subinflata and N. crucicula were 215 microg/ml and 108 microg/ml, respectively. The active extracts totally arrested the silicate uptake by diatoms treated with EC100 values, in relation to controls. The degree of silicate uptake impairment varies with the test organisms. The results show the presence of antifouling agents in this group of organisms. This is the first report of anltifouling properties of antipatharian colonies.     

Effects of nitrogen,phosphorus, iron and silicon on growth of five species of marine benthic diatoms

The effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and silicon on growth of five species of marine benthic diatoms, namely Navicula patrickae, Nitzschia panduriformis, Navicula thienemannii, Nitzschia longissima and Navicula atomus were studied by single factor experiments and the optimal concentration ratios of the four nutrient elements beneficial for diatoms growth were screened out separately using the L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal design. The results highlighted that nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and silicon all had highly significant effects on growth of five diatoms while the diatoms growth rates reached the highest averagely in the 2nd to the 6th culture day. In addition, the optimal concentrations (mg/L) of four nutrients suitable for diatoms growth were found higher than that in f/2 medium except that Nitzschia longissima had the same concentration of nitrogen as that in f/2 medium which is optimal for growth. Moreover, the optimal growth concentrations of four elements for five diatoms varied in the range of 12.36–74.16 mg/L for nitrogen, 1.70–3.98 mg/L for phosphorus, 2.00–4.00 mg/L for iron, 23.01–69.03 mg/L for silicon, respectively. By means of the orthogonal test of four nutrients for five benthic diatoms, the optimal concentration ratios N:P:Fe:Si (mg/L) were obtained as follows: 74.16:2.27:3.33:23.01 for N. patrickae; 37.08:3.98:4.00:11.50 for N. panduriformis; 49.44:3.98:3.33:34.51 for N. thienemannii; 12.36:1.70:4.00:11.50 for N. longissima; 74.16:2.27:4.00:69.03 for N. atomus.     

A study of Bacillariophyta flora in water bodies and water courses of the Messoyakha River (Gydansky Peninsula)

A total of 236 species and intraspecific taxa of Bacillariophyta diatoms from 55 genera, including 15 new ones for Russian flora, were found in an SEM study of phytoplankton in Lake Glubokoe and large tributaries (Nizhnyaya Messoyakha, Purparod, Erparod, Paravanga, and Nyakhataparod) in the basin of the lower reaches of the Messoyakha River. The maximum species diversity was recorded in the tributaries Nizhnyaya Messoyakha (117), Nyakhataparod (109), and Lake Glubokoe (97). The following species are the most widespread in the studied water bodies: Asterionella formosa, Aulacoseira subarctica, Navicula cryptocephala, Nitzschia gracilis, and Tabellaria flocculosa.     

上海市滩涂夏季底栖硅藻初步研究

报道了上海市夏季滩涂底栖硅藻的种类组成和生态分布的情况。样品于2005年8月从7个站点中采集,经处理、镜检观察,从中鉴定出硅藻98个分类单位,包括种、变种和变型,分别隶属于2纲7目10科31属。舟形藻属(Navicula)最多,共发现15个分类单位;其次为菱形藻属(Nitzschia),有10个分类单位。其中Cyclotella meneghiniana,Gyrosigma spencerii,Surirella ovata为优势种,Fragilaria capucina,Gyrosigma attenuatum,Naicula acceptata等为常见种,Melosira italica,Coscinodiscus wittianus,Navicula pygmaea等只在个别站点采到。数量分析表明,硅藻总细胞丰度变化为7.0×106-28.5×106 cells m-2,平均为17.39×106cellsm-2,在径流入海口处硅藻数量相对较多,其中淡水种比海生种多,这主要是因为长江口近岸河口水域是多种水系相混合的水体,淡水入海带来较多的淡水种类。     

The amino acid and gross composition of marine diatoms potentially useful for mariculture

The amino acid and gross compositions of three benthic diatoms (Cylindrotheca fusiformis Reimann and Lewin, Navicula jeffreyi Hallegraeff et Burford and Nitzschia closterium (Ehr. W. Smith) and three chain-forming diatoms (Lauderia annulata Cleve, Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve and a tropical Skeletonema sp. (CS-252)), were determined during late-logarithmic growth phase.Four of the six species were rich in protein, ranging from 31% (S. costatum) to 38% (N. closterium) of the dry weight, and contained 4.9 to 6.5% carbohydrate and 9.4 to 18% ash. The other two species, C. fusiformis and L. annulata contained only 16% protein but had nearly twice the total carbohydrate (11 to 12%) and two to three times the ash (29 to 35%) of the other species. All species contained a similar percentage of lipid (18 to 20%), and a high protein quality based on their total amino acid composition.The usefulness of these diatoms for mariculture will be determined by growth rates, gross composition and acceptability to the animal. N. closterium had the fastest growth rates of the benthic mat-forming diatoms, it was rich in protein, and it may be a good candidate for abalone culture. The two Skeletonema spp. had the fastest growth rates of the chain-forming diatoms, and are already widely used for prawn larval culture in Australia. Feeding trials are now necessary to confirm the high nutritional value of these diatom species for specific animals.     

A COMPOSITE RATING OF ALGAE TOLERATING ORGANIC POLLUTION2

From information on pollution-tolerant algae compiled from reports from 165 authors, the genera and species most often referred to as significant fall into a relatively stable series. Diatoms, pigmented flagellates, green, and blue-green algae are all well represented among the pollution-tolerant genera and species. The top 8 genera are Euglena, Oscillatoria, Chlamydomonas, Scenedesmus, Chlorella, Nitzschia, Navicula, and Stigeoclonium, and the top 5 species, Euglena viridis, Nitzschia palea, Oscillatoria limosa, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Oscillatoria tennis. In some genera, e.g., Euglena, a single species is far more significant than all others as a pollution-tolerant form. In other genera, e.g., Oscillatoria, only a slight difference distinguishes the pollution tolerance of 2 or more species. Algal genus and species pollution indices arc presented for use in rating water samples with high organic pollution.     

Diatom assemblages of the Cuyahoga river,N. E. Ohio (USA)

The Cuyahoga River is a heavily polluted tributary of Lake Erie located in N. E. Ohio (USA).One hundred seventy taxa of diatoms were identified from seven locations along the Cuyahoga River. The most frequently collected diatoms from each station were Cyclotella meneghiniana, Gomphonema parvulum, Navicula cryptocephala, N. cryptocephala var. veneta, N. lanceolata, N. menisculus, N. minima, N. minuscula, N. pelliculosa, Nitzschia amphibia, N. ovalis, N. palea, and Rhoicosphenia curvata.In the most heavily damaged region of the river these widely-distributed taxa were the only frequently collected diatoms.The relatively undamaged section of the river contained 94% more taxa than the most heavily damaged section. Chief among these additional taxa were Achnanthes lanceolata, A. lanceolata var. dubia, Cocconeisplacentula, Fragilaria vaucheriae, Melosira varians, Meridion circulare, Navicula mutica var. tropica, N. symetrica, Nitzschia dissipata, Stephanodiscus astraea, and Synedra rumpens.The degree of similarity between diatom assemblages along the Cuyahoga River as measured by a modification of Sørensen's index of similarity in species-frequency of occurrence composition was related to the degree of chemical-physical water quality similarities and to the extent of similarity between areas of geologic and biologic substrates. The most dissimilar diatom assemblages usually occurred between locations that were the most dissimilar with respect to chemical-physical water quality conditions rather than to dissimilarities with respect to sediment-substrate composition.     

Distribution of algae in the San Joaquin River, California, in relation to nutrient supply, salinity and other environmental factors

1. The taxonomic composition and biomass of the phytoplankton and the taxonomic composition of the phytobenthos of the San Joaquin River and its major tributaries were examined in relation to water chemistry, habitat and flow regime. Agricultural drainage and subsurface flow contribute to a complex gradient of salinity and nutrients in this eutrophic, ‘lowland type’ river. 2. Because of light‐limiting conditions for growth, maintenance demands of the algae exceed production during summer and autumn in the San Joaquin River where there is no inflow from tributaries. In contrast to substantial gains in concentration of inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus during the summer of normal‐flow years, net losses of algal biomass (2–4 μg L^?1 day^?1 chlorophyll a) occurred in a mid‐river segment with no significant tributary inflow. However, downstream of a large tributary draining the Sierra Nevada, a substantial net gain in algal biomass (6–11 μg L^?1 day^?1) occurred in the summer, but not in the spring (loss of 1–6 μg L^?1 day^?1) or autumn (loss of 2–5 μg L^?1 day^?1). 3. The phytoplankton was dominated in summer by ‘r‐selected’ centric diatoms (Thalassiosirales), species both tolerant of variable salinity and widely distributed in the San Joaquin River. Pennate diatoms were proportionally more abundant (in biomass) in the winter, spring and autumn. Abundant taxa included the diatoms Cyclotella meneghiniana, Skeletonema cf. potamos, Cyclostephanos invisitatus, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Nitzschia acicularis, N. palea and N. reversa, and the chlorophytes Chlamydomonas sp. and Scenesdesmus quadricauda. Patterns in the abundance of species indicated that assembly of the phytoplankton is limited more by light and flow regime than by nutrient supply. 4. The phytobenthos was dominated by larger, more slowly reproducing pennate diatoms. Few of the abundant species are euryhaline. The diatoms Navicula recens and Nitzschia inconspicua and cyanophytes, Oscillatoria spp., were the principal late‐summer benthic species upstream in the mainstem and in drainages of the San Joaquin Valley. Many of the other abundant diatoms (Amphora veneta, Bacillaria paxillifer, Navicula symmetrica, Nitzschia amphibia, N. fonticola, N. palea, Pleurosigma salinarum) of late‐summer assemblages in these segments also are motile species. While many of these species also were abundant in segments downstream of confluences with rivers draining the Sierra Nevada, the relative abundance of prostrate (Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta, Navicula minima) and erect or stalked (Achnanthidium deflexum, Achnanthes lanceolata, Gomphonema kobayasii, G. parvulum var. lagenula) diatoms and Stigeoclonium sp. was greater in these lower San Joaquin River segments. 5. A weighted‐averaging regression model, based on salinity and benthic‐algal abundance in the San Joaquin River and segments of its major tributaries within the San Joaquin Valley, yielded a highly significant coefficient‐of‐determination (r²=0.84) and low prediction error between salinity inferred from the species and that observed, indicating that salinity tolerance is a primary constraint on growth and assembly of the phytobenthos. The same measures of predictability indicated poor performance of a model based on inorganic nitrogen. However, with a greater representation of tributaries (including segments within the Sierra Nevada foothills) in the sample set, an inorganic nitrogen model also yielded a highly significant coefficient‐of‐determination (r²=0.87) and low prediction error between the species‐inferred and the observed concentration. As with the salinity model (r²=0.94) for the enlarged data set, a systematic difference (increased deviation of residuals) existed at high inorganic nitrogen concentrations. These results indicate substantial interaction between salinity and inorganic nitrogen as constraints on the structure of benthic‐algal communities of the San Joaquin River basin.