OBSERVATIONS OF A TUBE-DWELLING DIATOM: NAVICULA HAMULIFERA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Colonies of the tube-dwelling diatom Navicula hamulifera Grunow living on mangrove prop roots in Indian River, Florida and at La Parguera, Puerto Rico, were studied using light and electron microscopy. Observations of the tube morphology and cell structure of this diatom from fresh samples and cultures are described, as well as the ultrastructural morphology of its frustule. The formation of tubes by this diatom is reported for the first time. Comparisons are made with the closest species; Navicula delognei V.H. and Navicula pseudoco moides Hendey.     

Lectotypification of some pennate diatoms described by Skvortzow in 1936 from Lake Biwa

Based on examination of a clay sample comprising part of the type material of diatoms described by Skvortzow in 1936 from Lake Biwa, lectotypes of the following 14 pennate diatom taxa were designated: Caloneis nipponica Skvortzow; Cocconeis disculus var. nipponica Skvortzow; Cymbella nipponica Skvortzow; Cymbella turgidula var. nipponica Skvortzow; Gomphonema lingulatum var. elongatum Skvortzow; Navicula costu‐lata var. tenuirostris Skvortzow; Navicula gastrum fo. nipponica Skvortzow; Navicula hasta var. gracilis Skvortzow; Navicula lambda var. nipponica Skvortzow; Navicula lanceolata var. nipponica Skvortzow; Navicula radiosa fo. nipponica Skvortzow; Navicula rostellata var. biwaensis Skvortzow; Navicula similis var. nipponica Skvortzow; and Navicula undulata Skvortzow. Navicula lanceolata var. nipponica, N. costulata var. tenuirostris, N. undulata, G. lingulatum var. elongatum and N. lambda var. nipponica are probably later synonyms of other taxa. Navicula lambda var. nipponica and N. similis var. nipponica are given the new combinations Sellaphora lambda var. nipponica (Skvortzow) Ohtsuka and Placoneis clementis var. nipponica (Skvortzow) Ohtsuka, respectively. Cymbella turgidula var. nipponica, N. hasta var. gracilis, and N. rostellata var. biwaensis are each elevated to the independent species under the names Cymbella rhe‐ophila Ohtsuka, Navicula subhasta Ohtsuka and Navicula biwaensis (Skvortzow) Ohtsuka, respectively.     

Late Quaternary diatoms in the sediments of Przedni Staw Lake (Polish Tatra Mountains)

The paper presents a diatom succession in the Late Glacial and Holocene sediments of the Przedni Staw lake in the Pie Stawów Polskich Valley High Tatra Mts. Ten diatom phases are distinguished and presented against a pollen diagram from the analyzed core showing continuous sedimentation from the Oldest Dryas to the Subatlantic period. The diatom flora in the Late Glacial sediments is predominantly littoral — Fragilaria, Navicula, Nitzschia, Diploneis, Pinnularia and Amphora species. The Holocene sediments enclose more abundant planktonic species such as Cyclotella quadriiuncta, Asterionella formosa and Melosira distans.     

西藏拉鲁湿地硅藻植物的分类研究

该文报道了2015年7月采自西藏拉鲁湿地的硅藻植物共133个分类单位,包括54属122种11变种,分别隶属于3纲12目54属,其中6种为中国新记录,分别为多罗弗里克短缝藻(Eunotia dorofeyukae Lange-BertalotM.S.Kulikovskiy)、嫌钙异极藻(Gomphonema calcifugumm Lange-BertalotE.Reichardt)、坎普登斯异极藻(Gomphonema campodunense E.Reichardt)、三角舟形藻(Navicula trilatera Bahls)、相似弯肋藻(Cymbopleura similiformis Krammer)、兰格伯泰勒特桥弯藻(Cymbella lange-bertalotii Krammer)。并对拉鲁湿地硅藻的种类组成进行了分析,指出了其中的优势属及优势种,对优势种的环境指示进行了分析。     

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.     

Assessment of Water Pollution using Diatom Community Structure and Species Distribution — A Case Study in a Tropical River Basin

A study on biological assessment of water pollution using diatom community structure and species distribution was carried out in the Linggi River Basin, Malaysia which was polluted by various urban, industrial and agricultural wastes. A total of 86 diatom taxa belonging to 21 genera were recorded from all eight sampling stations located in the basin, of which 70 species were found on artificial substrates; the remaining 16 species were recorded exclusively on natural substrates. The number of diatom species observed between the stations varied from 22-47 species. The dominant diatom species in decreasing order of abundance were Eunotia vanheurckii, Nitzschia palea, Achnanthes saxonica, Gomphonema parvulum and Achnanthes minutissima. The most common clean water species were Achnanthes minutissima, A. linearis and Synedra rumpens. The most tolerant species were Nitzschia palea followed by Gomphonema parvulum and Pinnularia braunii. Eunotia vanheurckii and Navicula cryptocephala occurred in high densities at both unpolluted and polluted stations and can be considered as the common facultative or indifferent species. Although a large number of species were recorded at the unpolluted stations, equivalent number of species were also found at the moderately polluted stations. However, the number of species was reduced at grossly polluted stations. Nevertheless, a marked variation in species association exists between the unpolluted and polluted stations, but not among the polluted stations to distinguish the type and degree of pollution.     

CONTINUOUS FLOW CULTURE OF BENTHIC DIATOMS AND ITS APPLICATION TO BIOASSAY1,2

The benthic diatom, Navicula seminulum var. hustedtii Patr, was isolated from the field and studied in laboratory cultures. Experiments were conducted to determine the suitability of Millipore membranes and solidified agar substrate for diatom colonization under continuous flow conditions. Diatom colonization showed large variation and low reproducibility on Millipore membranes of different materials and pore sizes. Solidified agar substrate supported stable and reproducible colonization and is nutritionally neutral, translucent, homogeneous and easy to sample. The diatom colonization process on agar substrate involved four growth phases: i) pioneer; ii) exponential; iii) steady state; and, iv) vanishing. The culture system was also used in bioassay, testing the toxic effect of copper on the growth of benthic diatoms. The proposed method provides a useful means for studying autecology of benthic diatoms as well as for bioassay work.     

Identity and typification of Navicula hasta (Bacillariophyceae)

The name Navicula hasta is regularly applied to large, heavily silicified Navicula specimens with lanceolate outlines, protracted ends, and relatively coarse, radiate, and lineolate striae that are more irregularly spaced around the central area. As such, Navicula hasta has been reported from numerous localities such as brackish water fossil sediments, oligotrophic ancient lakes and postglacial lakes. When the data for distribution of Navicula hasta are summarized, this species appears to be geographically and temporally widespread with a broad range of ecologic tolerances. Published reports for size range show that diatomists during the last century have differing concepts of the species starting with the disagreement between the protologue and one of the figures given by Pantocsek. Furthermore, an informal ‘type’ of Navicula hasta reported in 1980 does not match the protologue and is not unambiguously based on material Pantocsek had in his hands when describing his new species. We studied published reports of Navicula hasta and investigated material reported to contain Navicula hasta and its allies from the type locality (Köpecz), one of the fossil deposits reported to contain N. hasta (Bodos) and from ancient and other younger lakes worldwide. From our analyses, we document the variation and underappreciated diversity within the Navicula hasta group and set the stage for formal recognition of new species in subsequent papers. Herein, we formally propose a lectotype from among the original illustrations and designate an epitype for Navicula hasta based on Pantocsek's Köpecz material. Additionally, two new species, Navicula krenneri spec. nov. and Navicula pseudohasta spec. nov. are described and a lectotype of Navicula superhasta Lange‐Bertalot and Metzeltin is proposed.     

Mono‐ and digalactosyldiacylglycerol composition of the marennine‐producing diatom,Haslea ostrearia: Comparison to a selection of pennate and centric diatoms

Diatoms are one of the largest groups of primary producers in the oceans, yet despite their environmental importance little is known about their plastidial lipid biochemistry. It has been previously reported that Skeletonema species contain primarily C₁₆/C₁₆ and C₂₀/C₁₆ forms of mono‐ and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG, respectively). Likewise, it was also reported that Phaeodactylum tricornutum contains primarily C₁₆/C₁₆ and C₂₀/C₂₀ forms of MGDG and DGDG. We seek to relate their studies to other diatoms, both in the centrics and pennates, with particular focus on the marennine‐producing pennate diatom, Haslea ostrearia. To this end, the composition and positional distribution of fatty acids of MGDG and DGDG were examined using positive‐ion electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). Two centric diatoms, Skeletonema marinoi and Thalassiosira weissflogii, and the pennate diatom, P. tricornutum, contained primarily C₂₀/C₁₆ (sn‐1/sn‐2) and C₁₈/C₁₆ forms of MGDG and DGDG. The other pennate diatoms, H. ostrearia and Navicula perminuta, contained primarily C₁₈/C₁₆ or C₁₈/C₁₈ forms of MGDG and DGDG, indicating a previously unrecognized fatty acid diversity in diatom MGDG and DGDG.     

Adhesion and motility of fouling diatoms on a silicone elastomer

Recent demands for non-toxic antifouling technologies have led to increased interest in coatings based on silicone elastomers that ‘release’ macrofouling organisms when hydrodynamic conditions are sufficiently robust. However, these types of coatings accumulate diatom slimes, which are not released even from vessels operating at high speeds ( > 30 knots). In this study, adhesion strength and motility of three common fouling diatoms (Amphora coffeaeformis var. perpusilla (Grunow) Cleve, Craspedostauros australis Cox and Navicula perminuta Grunow) were measured on a polydimethylsiloxane elastomer (PDMSE) and acid-washed glass. Adhesion of the three species was stronger to PDMSE than to glass but the adhesion strengths varied. The wall shear stress required to remove 50% of cells from PDMSE was 17 Pa for Craspedostauros, 24 Pa for Amphora and >> 53 Pa for Navicula; the corresponding values for glass were 3, 10 and 25 Pa. In contrast, the motility of the three species showed little or no correlation between the two surfaces. Craspedostauros moved equally well on glass and PDMSE, Amphora moved more on glass initially before movement ceased and Navicula moved more on PDMSE before movement ceased. The results show that fouling diatoms adhere more strongly to a hydrophobic PDMSE surface, and this feature may contribute to their successful colonization of low surface energy, foul-release coatings. The results also indicate that diatom motility is not related to adhesion strength, and motility does not appear to be a useful indicator of surface preference by diatoms.     

Exudates from Gracilaria chilensis stimulate settlement of epiphytic ulvoids

In the diatom communities of the Vanishing and Ornithologist Creek 74 taxa were found. Most of the taxa have a cosmopolitan range and are resistant to various environmental stresses. For example, Achnanthes lanceolata var. lanceolata, is found in all types of waters and in several ecological conditions. Achnanthes delicatula ssp. delicatula, Nitzschia frustulum, N. capitellata, Navicula mutica, and N. gregaria develop both in fresh and brackish waters. Some of the organisms also settle in terrestrial environments. Navicula atomus, N. mutica, Pinnularia borealis, and Hantzschia amphioxys are common soil algae. Navicula digitulus, N. contenta, N. cohnii and Achnanthes coarctata also live in an aerial environment. Navicula atomus is well developed in eutrophic waters and Nitzschia capitellata can tolerate a high level of pollution, while Nitzschia gracilis, Fragilaria capucina, and F. alpestris appear both in oligotrophic, and enriched waters. Stenotopic ecological features are shown by Achnanthes marginulata and Navicula digitulus — known from the Alps and the North, and Navicula muticopsis characteristic for Antarctic and Subantarctic.The index of diatom biomass, usually of low and medium value, was highest in the area of possible impact by a penguin colony.     

黑龙江省七星河湿地硅藻植物的初步研究

报道了2004年对黑龙江省七星河湿地国家级自然保护区的硅藻门植物研究的结果,共发现155个分类单位,包括113种39变种3变型,分别隶属于2纲6目9科26属,其中中国新记录2种2变种1变型共计5个分类单位,初步分析了七星河湿地硅藻植物群落的种类组成及生态类型,大部分的硅藻属于普生种类,同时出现了一些喜酸种类如：Eunotia pectinalis var. ventralis(Ehr.)Hust., Tabellaria flocculosa(Roth) Kütz.,Gomphonema augur Ehr.,Navicula subtilissima Cl.等,还有少量的嗜碱性种类出现。     

Isolation and characterization of a single‐stranded RNA virus that infects the marine planktonic diatom Chaetoceros sp. (SS08‐C03)

Diatoms are the major primary producers in the world's aquatic environment; hence, their dynamics are an important focus in current studies. Viruses, along with other physical, chemical, and biological factors, have recently been recognized as potential factors of diatom mortality. We isolated and characterized a new diatom virus (Csp03RNAV) that causes lysis of the marine planktonic diatom Chaetoceros sp. strain SS08‐C03 isolated from Hiroshima Bay, Japan. Here, we present the physiology, morphology, and genome characteristics of this virus. Csp03RNAV was isolated from surface waters of Yatsushiro Sea, Japan. Virions were icosahedral and 32 nm in diameter, and accumulated in the cytoplasm of the host cells. The latent period was estimated to be <48 h. Csp03RNAV harbors a single‐stranded RNA genome, which has 9417 bases encoding two open reading frames that code for putative replication‐related proteins and putative structural proteins, respectively. The monophyly of Csp03RNAV and the other known diatom‐infecting single‐stranded RNA viruses (genus Bacillarnavirus), Rhizosolenia setigera RNA virus, Chaetoceros socialis f. radians RNA virus, and Chaetoceros tenuissimus RNA virus was strongly supported by phylogenetic analysis based on the amino acid sequence of the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase domain. On the basis of these results, Csp03RNAV is considered to be a new member of the genus Bacillarnavirus.     

EFFECTS OF METAL AND PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATION ON BENTHIC DIATOM COMMUNITIES NEAR CASEY STATION,ANTARCTICA: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH1

The effects of metals and petroleum hydrocarbons on benthic marine diatom communities were assessed using a manipulative field experiment at Casey Station, Antarctica. Uncontaminated, metal contaminated, and petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sediments were deployed for 11 weeks during the 1999 austral summer. The treatments were deployed at three different locations: Brown Bay, which has elevated levels of anthropogenic contaminants, and two uncontaminated reference locations, O'Brien Bay and Sparkes Bay, the latter of which has naturally occurring high concentrations of some heavy metals. At each location, significant differences between the composition of diatom communities recruiting to control and petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated treatments were observed. Navicula directa (Smith) Ralfs occurred at lower abundances in the petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated treatments than in the control treatments. In contrast, Navicula cancellata Donkin occurred at higher relative abundances in both contaminated treatments relative to the control treatment. Interactions between treatment and location were also observed for several species, including Navicula glaciei Van Heurck. Significant differences in the overall community composition of diatom communities between control and metal contaminated treatments and metal contaminated and petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated treatments were only observed within Brown Bay. The location of deployment also had a significant influence on the composition of diatom communities. Brown Bay had higher abundances of Achnanthes brevipes Agardh but lower abundances of Navicula aff. cincta (Ehrenberg) Van Heurck than either reference locations. This experiment demonstrated that benthic diatom communities are sensitive to sediment contamination and would be suitable for future monitoring work within this and other areas of Antarctica.     

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。     

OBSERVATIONS ON NAVICULA ULVACEA,A RARE FOLIOSE MARINE DIATOM1

Navicula ulvacea (Berkeley ex Kütz.) P. T. Cleve, a marine colonial blade-forming diatom originally discovered in Scotland was collected at North Rustico, Prince Edward Island, during winter 1971. It formed dense stands of Porphyra-like fronds, ranging up to 60 mm long × 20 mm wide. These occurred under ice-covered water on rocks 1–2 m below zero tide. Comparisons made at the light and scanning electron microscope level compared favorably with original Aberdeen material. Clonal cultures established from single cells at first also formed blades, but rarely more than 10 mm long. In numerous serial subcultures made since 1971 no further blades have been formed. Instead, growth consisted of well-separated cells or short filaments scattered over the bottom and sides of the vessels. Older cultures developed prostrate sheets of filaments, embedded in a mucilagenous matrix and occasional bubble-like eruptions. Results of the cultures suggest that N. ulvacea probably occurs in a prostrate form in nature, perhaps more commonly than in the blade form. Literature records since the original collection in 1844 are brought together but are considered doubtful. A discussion on nomenclature is included.     

The chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of two Gomphonema parvulum (Bacillariophyta) environmental isolates from South Carolina (United States) and Virginia (United States)

Gomphonema parvulum is a cosmopolitan freshwater diatom that is used as an indicator in water quality biomonitoring. In this study, we report the culturing of two geographically separated isolates from southeastern North America, their morphology, and the sequencing and assembly of their mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes. Morphologically, both strains fit G. parvulum sensu lato, but the frustules from a protected habitat in South Carolina were smaller than those cited in the historic data of this species from the same location as well as a second culture from Virginia. Phylogenetic analyses using the rbcL gene placed both within a clade with G. parvulum. Genetic markers, including full chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes and the nuclear small subunit rRNA gene region were assembled from each isolate. The organellar genomes of the two strains varied slightly in size due to small differences in intergenic regions with chloroplast genomes of 121,035 bp and 121,482 bp and mitochondrial genomes of 34,639 bp and 34,654 bp. The intraspecific pairwise identities of the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of these two isolates were 97.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Multigene phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close relationship between G. parvulum, Gomphoneis minuta, and Didymosphenia geminata.     

Microfluidic detachment assay to probe the adhesion strength of diatoms

Fouling release (FR) coatings are increasingly applied as an environmentally benign alternative for controlling marine biofouling. As the technology relies on removing fouling by water currents created by the motion of ships, weakening of adhesion of adherent organisms is the key design goal for improved coatings. In this paper, a microfluidic shear force assay is used to quantify how easily diatoms can be removed from surfaces. The experimental setup and the optimization of the experimental parameters to study the adhesion of the diatom Navicula perminuta are described. As examples of how varying the physico-chemical surface properties affects the ability of diatoms to bind to surfaces, a range of hydrophilic and hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers was compared. While the number of cells that attached (adhered) was barely affected by the coatings, the critical shear stress required for their removal from the surface varied significantly.     

Navicula endophytica Sp.Nov., A pennate diatom with an unusual mode of existence

The diatom Navicula endophytica sp. nov., first observed by Baardseth (1966) in the intercellular substance of receptacles of Ascophyllum nodosum, is described. The species has been encountered neither as an epiphyte on this seaweed nor as a planktonic form.     

Settlement, growth and survival of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, in response to eight monospecific benthic diatoms

The settlement, early growth and survival of the larval abalone Haliotis discus hannai in response to eight monospecific benthic diatoms were examined in the laboratory. Postlarvae showed active settling and feeding behaviour in all diatom species and in naturally occurring diatoms. Larval settlement rates differed significantly between experimental substrata after 24 h and 48 h. Nitzschia sp. (96.67 %), Hantzschia amphioxys var. leptocephala (95.00 %) and Navicula seminulum (90.00 %) strongly induced larval settlement of H. discus hannai. Postlarvae could feed on benthic diatoms (< 36 μm in shell length) with both weak and strong adhesion on the 4th day after settlement. Greatest growth (shell length) occurred on Nitzschia sp. (786.84 μm ± 2.50 SE and 773.09 μm ± 2.09 SE). Survival of postlarvae was also greatest on Nitzschia sp. (95.33 % ± 1.45 SE). These results indicate the effectiveness of Nitzschia sp., H. amphioxys var. leptocephala, N. seminulum, Rhaphoneis surirella and Navicula corymbosa as single species over natural diatoms in larval settlement and postlarvae growth of H. discus hannai. Thus, Nitzschia sp. has the best potential diet for larval settlement and postlarvae growth of H. discus hannai. H. amphioxys var. leptocephala and N. seminulum can be used as cues to induce larvae settlement, and R. surirella and N. corymbosa can be used as food for growing postlarval.