121 Influence of Benthic vs. Pelagic Seeding on Coastal Diatom Bloom Development

Diatom blooms may be initiated by cells that have survived in the plankton or germinated resting stages from the sediments. However, it is not well understood how these different inocula contribute to bloom development. We followed diatom community development in twenty‐liter microcosms given different inocula. Surface sediment and phytoplankton were collected in Gullmar Fjord, Sweden. Replicate microcosms were then dosed with local sediment and/or plankton and incubated in situ in Gullmar Fjord. We also followed the concurrent development of the phytoplankton community in the fjord. Experiments run in both spring and fall 2002 showed that bloom development in the microcosms was significantly faster when seeded by planktonic cells. However, addition of sediment may have stimulated planktonic growth and also provided additional propagules. The type of inoculum used strongly influenced the diatom composition in the microcosms. Sediment additions, through germination of resting stages, resulted in communities dominated by Detonula confervacea and Thalassiosira minima in spring, and Skeletonema costatum in fall. Planktonic inocula resulted in blooms of T. nordenskioeldii and Chaetoceros debilis in spring, and S. costatum and several Chaetoceros spp. in fall. Microcosms dosed with both plankton and sediment showed a mixed species assemblage. Comparisons between the microcosms and fjord phytoplankton suggest an important role for benthic seeding of diatom blooms.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE OF SOME FORMS OF GOMPHONEMA PARVULUM KÜTZ. II. THE INTERNAL ORGANIZATION1

The diatom species Gomphonema parvulum Kütz. was isolated, grown in culture, and the details of the internal organization studied by light and electron microscopy. The organism is usually identified from its frustular morphology, but members of the genus Gomphonema can be separated from other naviculoid forms by the H-shaped chromatophore, whose lobes are connected on 3 sides across the center of the cell, and also from the position of the pyrenoid. This is situated, on the inner side of the chromatophore and is not embedded in the center of the chromatophore. New observations of this pennate diatom include details of the periplastidial network, of the Golgi vesicular activity, and of the storage products.     

IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL CYTOCHROME P450 cDNA,CYP97E1, FROM THE MARINE DIATOM SKELETONEMA COSTATUM BACILLARIOPHYCEAE1

Here we report identification of a 2269‐base pair full‐length cDNA, CYP97E1, encoding a novel cytochrome P450 protein from the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum. The CYP97E1 protein contains 659 amino acids (Mr 74,200) and is the largest P450 isoform described to date. Our BLAST homology search and parsimony analysis showed that CYP97E1 shared high sequence identity (>40%) and genetic relatedness, respectively, with the CYP97B isoforms from different plant species. CYP97E1 was predicted by PSORT (a protein localization site prediction program) to be a cytosolic protein. Northern hybridization analysis indicated that CYP97E1 expression in S. costatum was not significantly affected by 2,4‐dichlorophenol, suggesting that CYP97E1 may not be involved in 2,4‐dichlorophenol detoxification in this diatom.     

Zellteilung und Bildung von Innenschalen beiHantzschia amphioxys undAchnanthes coarctata

Before cytokinesis, the identically constructed chromatophores ofHantzschia amphioxys andAchnanthes coarctata are transformed into less effigurated bodies. In normal cytokinesis, the course of mitosis, chromatophore division, and cleavage furrowing are exactly synchronized. The division of the chromatophore appears as a passive process, i.e. intersection by the cleavage furrow. In inequal cell divisions before the formation of inner valves cytokinesis can take place without chromatophore division. Once chromatophore division without mitosis and cytokinesis was observed. InHantzschia there are three types of inner valve formation, inAchnanthes coarctata only two. The inner valves develop under unfavorable growth conditions, the cells possessing them, however, are not resting spores as in some other diatoms. InHantzschia, auxospore formation is suppressed under the cultural conditions used, the cells multiply intensely without diminution.

     

Modelling the population dynamics of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium Tamarense in Hiroshima Bay, Japan

In the present study, a numerical model that simulates speciescompetition between the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarenseand the non-toxic diatom Skeletonema costatum was constructedusing data from a number of experiments and field observations.In the model, not only vertical migration of swimming cellsbut also the encystment and excystment processes of A. tamarensewere taken into consideration. Sinking of S. costatum cellswas also considered. Both zooplankton and oysters, which areintensively cultured in this bay, feed on the phytoplanktonbut the contribution of grazing to the decrease in the celldensities of both species was small. The model predicts thatwhile sinking is one of the major processes that reduce thecell density of S. costatum, encystment of A. tamarense is acrucial process that determines the cessation of blooms of thisdinoflagellate. Advection and diffusion are also important physicalprocesses that affect, in positive and negative ways, the fluctuationof cell densities.     

Nitrate Utilization by the Diatom Skeletonema costatum: II. Regulation of Nitrate Uptake

Nitrate utilization has been characterized in nitrogen-deficient cells of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum. In order to separate nitrate uptake from nitrate reduction, nitrate reductase activity was suppressed with tungstate. Neither nitrite nor the presence of amino acids in the external medium or darkness affects nitrate uptake kinetics. Ammonium strongly inhibits carrier-mediated nitrate uptake, without affecting diffusion transfer. A model is proposed for the uptake and assimilation of nitrate in S. costatum and their regulation by ammonium ions.     

五种典型藻类对C，N，P吸收动力学分析及种间竞争模拟

目的:获得五种典型藻类(甲藻属微小亚历山大藻(Alexandrium minutum)和锥状斯氏藻(Scrippsiella trochoidea),赤潮硅藻中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)以及绿藻属杜氏藻(Dunaliella salina)和青岛大扁藻(Platymonas helgolandica tsingtaoensis))对C,N,P营养的吸收动力学参数,并利用经典藻类种间竞争模型,构建一个藻类混合共存的生态平衡体系,揭示藻类种间竞争规律,为赤潮爆发机制和预测的研究提供一个新思路。方法:监测批次培养过程中藻体的生长规律以及培养基中C,N,P营养的消耗,计算出藻类营养吸收动力学参数,将参数代入Huisman-Weissing竞争模型,模拟藻类种间竞争。结果:(1)在单独培养条件下,杜氏藻具有最高的比生长率(0.834 d~(-1))和最大细胞浓度(3.4×10~6 cells/mL),锥状斯氏藻和微小亚历山大藻的比生长率μ和最大细胞浓度与其它三种藻相比均明显偏低,p0.01;(2)随着环境总碳浓度从5 mM提高到20 mM,五种藻的比生长率和最大细胞浓度均显著上升,其中杜氏藻和青岛大扁藻对C浓度改变的响应更加敏感;(3)杜氏藻和中肋骨条藻理论最大比生长率(μmax)明显高于其它三种藻类,锥状斯氏藻和微小亚历山大藻对C,N,P营养盐的需求量相比于其它三种藻明显偏高,p0.01;(4)藻类共生平衡系统中,N营养添加有利于杜氏藻和中肋骨条藻发挥更好的种间竞争优势,P营养添加有利于微小亚历山大藻和锥状斯氏藻发挥种间竞争优势;结论:不同环境条件下,五种藻类最大比生长速率μmax和营养吸收半饱和常数Ks直接影响它们的种间竞争能力,基于藻类动力学参数的种间竞争模型为赤潮爆发机制和预测的研究提供一个新思路。     

The effect of nutrient availability and temperature on chain length of the diatom, Skeletonema costatum

We determined the effects of temperature and nutrients on thechain length of a diatom, Skeletonema costatum, in batch cultureand enclosure experiments with estuarine water from San FranciscoBay, USA, using the recently developed CytoBuoy flow cytometer.Determination of the number of cells per diatom chain by CytoBuoyflow cytometer and associated software correlated well withbut was much more precise and time efficient than microscopicquantification. Increasing temperatures (from 6, 8 to 17°C)and nutrient concentrations induced high growth rates and dominanceby longer chains in a cultured S. costatum strain that was originallyacclimatized to a temperature range of 11–30°C. Similarly,a positive correlation between growth rate and chain lengthwas observed in S. costatum in batch culture and natural communitiesin enclosure experiments. Maximal chain lengths of S. costatumwere greater in natural populations than in the batch culture.Longer chains affect sinking rates and thus likely help thediatom remain suspended in the upper part of the water columnwhere physical and chemical parameters are more favorable forgrowth.     

Die Teilung und Verformung des gegliederten Chromatophors vonStigeoclonium stagnatile (Chlorophyceae)

Division and plastic remodelling of the highly differentiated chromatophore inStigeoclonium stagnatile (Hazen)Collins is followed in living cells during their life cycle. In contradistinction to the unicellular algae both processes are separated: During the cell division, when the cell is growing, the highly differentiated chromatophore is simply divided without plastic remodelling and its division is finished before the nuclear division starts. The mode of the chloroplast division is identical with that of other algae. In contrast, during zoospore formation plastic remodelling of the chromatophore takes place: The lobed gutter-shaped chromatophore is transformed into a cup-like one which is adapted to the shape of the zoospore. After the zoospore has changed into a germling the cupshaped chromatophore is turned again into the original lobed gutter-like form of the vegetative cells. The precursory chromatophore division with regard to mitosis as well as the uniform mode of chromatophore division in various algae is stressed.

     

The diatoms ingested by freshwater snails: temporal,spatial, and interspecific variation

Seventeen species of diatoms, representing a broad range of sizes, shapes, and growth habits, were collected from rocks in rapidly-flowing sections of the Mitchell River, North Carolina. The diatoms ingested by adult Goniobasis proxima, juvenile Leptoxis carinata, and adult Physa sp. co-occurring in this habitat were indistinguishable from one another, in spite of great differences in radular morphology. All snails sampled the diatom flora almost randomly, with only one or two of the larger diatom species under-represented in the gut contents. Some snails also seemed to selectively ingest the smaller individuals of the larger diatom taxa, and larger individuals of the smaller diatom taxa. The diatoms identifiable in juvenile Goniobasis guts were somewhat more distinctive, although this seemed to be due at least partly to more mechanical breakage. The diatom flora of quiet, muddy pools was much different from that of shallow, rocky areas, but once again, Goniobasis seemed to sample the available flora randomly. Seasonal variation was also apparent in the diatom diet of Goniobasis. We suggest that in some cases, it may be reasonable to use snails to sample the diatom assemblage present in a particular habitat, if more direct methods are impractical.     

Diversity and distribution of epibiotic bacteria on Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries (Bacillariophyceae) in culture, and comparison with those on diatoms in native seawater

Previous studies on the interaction between bacteria and harmful algal bloom species have mostly considered the bacteria in the bulk solution. Here, we document the abundance and mode of attachment of bacteria growing on the cell surface of the domoic acid-producing diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries (Hasle) Hasle in culture, compared with diatoms in field samples. The epiphytic bacteria were examined by scanning electron microscopy to visualize their morphology and mode of attachment. Two P. multiseries cultures were studied: clone CLN-1 and sub-clone CLN-1-NRC; the latter had been maintained in another laboratory for 2 years. Each of these P. multiseries cultures exhibited a clearly different assemblage of epibiotic bacteria, even though both originated from the same parent culture. The bacterial diversity was greater in clone CLN-1 (nine distinct morphotypes seen) than in sub-clone CLN-1-NRC (six morphotypes). The former clone also produced more domoic acid than the latter. There was a succession of bacterial morphotypes as well as an increase in the number of epiphytic bacteria per diatom cell during the progression from exponential to stationary phase. The most diverse and common morphotypes were rod-shaped cells (e.g. a Caulobacter-like bacterium attached by a discoid holdfast). Epibionts showed a preference for attachment at specific regions of the host diatom frustule, e.g. the raphe or cingulum, locations where organic matter may be extruding from the diatom cell. Most diatom cells carried only one to five bacteria, and up to ca. 60% of the intact diatom cells (although intact cells themselves were infrequent) were still free of epibiotic bacteria at the end of the 31-day batch culture experiment. Sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene showed that five of the eight bacterial strains isolated from the P. multiseries cultures were members of the Alphaproteobacteria, three of the Gammaproteobacteria and one of the Bacteroidetes. A morphologically diverse assemblage of epibiotic bacteria was also found on both centric and pennate planktonic diatoms in natural coastal waters. Of the eight morphotypes recorded, all but two were also found in the cultures. Relatively fewer wild diatom cells carried bacteria compared to cells in culture. We hypothesize that the diversity and abundance of epiphytic bacteria may explain some of the variability seen in the production of DA by different P. multiseries clones, and should be considered as another important and controllable variable that influences diatom cell physiology.     

Short-term fluctuations in benthic diatom numbers on an intertidal sandflat in the Westerschelde estuary (Zeeland,The Netherlands)

During the period March–May 1991, sediment samples were taken every two or three days at one intertidal station in the brackish part of the Westerschelde estuary. Quantitative cell counts were made in order to investigate the short-term temporal changes in diatom numbers and assemblage structure.Throughout the whole sampling period, the diatom assemblage was dominated by epipsammic diatoms. Three species, Achnanthes delicatula, Opephora cf. perminuta and Catenula adhaerens on average accounted for almost 67% of all valves counted. The epipsammic diatom fraction showed no significant changes in absolute numbers; its species composition appeared relatively stable. In contrast, epipelic diatom densities significantly increased towards the end of the study period. Species composition within this fraction was less stable. Multivariate analysis (Principal Components Analysis), in combination with multiple regression, indicated that total sky irradiance (on the second and third day preceding sampling) and percentage organic matter were related to the short-term fluctuations of the epipelic diatom fraction.     

Assembly of plasmid DNA and chromatophore inRhodospirillum rubrum

Summary Rhodospirillum rubrum, a photosynthetic bacterium, contains many photosynthetic vesicular membranous structures called chromatophores. The organism contains a 55 kb specific plasmid which is essential for photosynthesis, but the exact relationship between the chromatophore and the plasmid is uncertain. In this study we examined the precise localization of the plasmids, especially in relation to the chromatophores. Fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated that there are several copies of the plasmid per cell and that some plasmids are localized close to the cellular envelope. In situ hybridization at the electron-microscopic level further revealed that the plasmid localized to the periphery of the chromatophore close to the envelope. Moreover, when the chromatophore fraction was purified from cells, the plasmid DNA was observed as a cluster around the chromatophore vesicles. The assembly of the plasmid and chromatophore may be related to chromatophore formation by invagination of cell membrane.     

COLINEARITY OF CHLOROPLAST GENOMES IN DIVERGENT ECOTYYES OF THE MARINE DIATOM SKELETONEMA COSTATUM (BACILLARIOPHYTA)1

The chloroplast genomes of three isolates of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve were mapped and found to be 131 ± 2 kb with inverted repeats (IRs) of approximately 20 kb. In contrast to higher plants, the psbA gene mapped to the IR, and rbcS mapped to the same fragment as the rbcL gene in the large single-copy region. The maps of the three isolates were colinear and revealed as many as 20 site mutations out of a total of 47 sites. The number of site mutations among isolates was consistent with previous data on their genetic diversity and physiology. Comparisons of gene order among our maps and those of three other diatom species showed that closely related genera retained similar gene orders but that more distantly related taxa exhibited extensive rearrangements. We conclude that simple restriction fragment analysis of chloroplast DNA is useful in comparative studies of diatom populations and species but that other analytical methods are more appropriate for phylogenetic studies at higher levels.     

Seasonal variations of diatoms and dinoflagellates in a shallow,temperate estuary,with emphasis on neritic assemblages

Seasonal changes in the diatom and dinoflagellate assemblages were examined in the neritic zone of the Urdaibai estuary (north Spain) with regard to some major physical and chemical variables during an annual cycle. A total of 81 diatoms and 38 dinoflagellates were identified and quantified during the study period. Both groups displayed a distinctive pattern of seasonal succession. The seasonal distribution of the Shannon index showed a trend of increasing values from the upper estuary to the lower neritic segment. The diatom diversity maxima were observed in February, April and September, and dinoflagellate maxima in April–May, July and October. Diatoms dominated the assemblages, reaching 1×10⁶ cells l^–1 from April to September. A shift from large diatoms and dinoflagellates to small bloom-forming taxa was observed during winter–early spring. A spring diatom bloom composed of Rhizosolenia spp. was observed in April, while small chain-forming taxa (chiefly Chaetoceros spp.) dominated from June to September. Cell maxima for both groups in late summer were produced by the diatoms Chaetoceros salsugineum and Skeletonema costatum, and by the dinoflagellates Heterocapsa pygmaea and Peridinium quinquecorne. Silicate availability by river supply and strong tidal-mixing of the water column seem to determine the year-round dominance of diatoms over dinoflagellates.     

Micro‐photoluminescence of single living diatom cells

Diatoms are single‐celled microalgae that possess a nanostructured, porous biosilica shell called a frustule. This study characterized the micro‐photoluminescence (μ‐PL) emission of single living cells of the photosynthetic marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana in response to UV laser irradiation at 325 nm using a confocal Raman microscope. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum had two primary peaks, one centered at 500–510 nm, which was attributed to the frustule biosilica, and a second peak at 680 nm, which was attributed to auto‐fluorescence of photosynthetic pigments. The portion of the μ‐PL emission spectrum associated with biosilica frustule in the single living diatom cell was similar to that from single biosilica frustules isolated from these diatom cells. The PL emission by the biosilica frustule in the living cell emerged only after cells were cultivated to silicon depletion. The discovery of the discovery of PL emission by the frustule biosilica within a single living diatom itself, not just its isolated frustule, opens up future possibilities for living biosensor applications, where the interaction of diatom cells with other molecules can be probed by μ‐PL spectroscopy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spontane Rotation und Oszillation des Chromatophors und Cytoplasmas bei zweiSpirotaenia-Arten

Zusammenfassung Der Chromatophor vonSpirotaenia endospira undSp. Spec. rotiert zusammen mit dem ganzen oder nahezu ganzen Protoplasten spontan um die Längsachse der Zelle. Maximal werden etwas mehr als vier Umdrehungen durchgeführt, meist sind es wenigere oder nur halbe oder 3/4 Umdrehungen, dann erfolgt nach einem gewöhnlich kurzen Stillstand Umkehr der Bewegungsrichtung; es herrscht also im ganzen Oszillation. Eine Umdrehung dauert im Extrem nur 2–3 Minuten, oft länger. Die Oszillation ist keine Pendelbewegung im physikalischen Sinn, sondern eine intermittierende Rotation mit±regelmäßiger periodischer Umkehr. Sie läuft auch in geschädigten und pathologisch deformierten Zellen sowie in Zellen mit abnormer Struktur des Chromatophors weiter, ebenso bei 24stündiger Verdunkelung. Bei Abkühlung und Austrocknung wird sie nur vorübergehend eingestellt. Der Bewegungsmodus hat seine einzige Parallele im Verhalten bestimmter spezialisierter Zellen von Coleochaetaceen. Die nächst verwandten ArtenSp. condensata undSp. erythrocephala zeigen keinerlei Bewegung in den Zellen.

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Spontaneous rotation and oscillation of chromatophore and cytoplasm in two species ofSpirotaenia

Summary InSpirotaenia endospira andSp. Spec. the screw-shaped chromatophore together with the most part of cytoplasm, or probably the whole protoplast oscillates spontaneously. The oscillation is a sort of intermittant rotation turning back after a generally short stop in a ±regular period. At most little more then four revolutions in the same direction run off, often only ±a half or three quarters of a revolution occur. One revolution lasts for 2–3 minutes, or often it lasts longer. The movement is a specific one, comparable only with the movement in specialized cells of Coleochaetaceae. Moreover the movement is very resistant to various injuries and passes on also in strikingly misformed, abnormal cells and also in cells with abnormally structured chromatophore. In the next related species,Sp. condensata andSp. erythrocephala, there is no movement.

     

Photosynthetic activity of benthic diatoms in response to different temperatures

The photosynthetic activities of benthic diatoms in response to temperature changes were assessed by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics. Small benthic diatom species with large surface area to volume (SA/V) ratios responded to increasing temperature differently from large diatoms, since larger ratios caused lower photosynthetic activity under high-temperature conditions. The small SA/V ratios of large cells may be advantageous in benthic environments under adverse conditions such as high temperature and/or strong light. A size-dependent differential response of benthic diatoms to changes in environmental factors such as temperature may result in an altered distribution of the different diatom communities.     

Hydrological controls on the diatom assemblage of a seasonal arctic river: Boothia Peninsula,Nunavut, Canada

This study characterizes the melt season diatom assemblage of a middle arctic river with respect to hydrological conditions. In addition, the potential to identify species that show a strong affinity for the lotic environment provides an opportunity to interpret stratigraphic changes in these species in the lake sedimentary record in terms of past hydrological change. Understanding long-term hydrological variability is critical for assessing both current and future environmental change. Significantly higher relative abundances of Achnanthes minutissimaKützing, Fragilaria capucina var. vaucheriae (Kützing) Lange-Bertalot, Diatoma tenuisAgardh, Cymbella arctica(Lagerstedt) Schmidt, C. minutaHilse ex. Rabenhorst, C. silesiaca Bleisch and Encyonema fogedii Krammer in the lotic environment throughout the 2001 growing season compared to the lacustrine sedimentary record suggest that these species characterize the Lord Lindsay River diatom assemblage. Comparison of seasonal abundances of these taxa to hydrological parameters including discharge, electrical conductivity, and water temperature reveal key information about the character of this community. The fact that the river diatom assemblage changes very little throughout the sampling period, despite major changes in hydrological conditions, suggests a degree of resilience and inherent structure in the community. However, a decrease in diatom biomass in response to rapid and dramatic changes in hydrological conditions following a major rainfall event suggests that a threshold tolerance may exist, with potentially important implications for interpreting stratigraphic changes in the paleoenvironmental record.     

PERIPHYTIC DIATOM ASSEMBLAGES FROM ULTRA‐OLIGOTROPHIC AND UV TRANSPARENT LAKES AND PONDS ON VICTORIA ISLAND AND COMPARISONS WITH OTHER DIATOM SURVEYS IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC1

Periphytic diatoms are potentially powerful indicators of environmental change in climatically‐sensitive high latitude regions. However, only a few studies have examined their taxonomic and ecological characteristics. We identified and enumerated diatom assemblages from sediment, rock, and moss habitats in 34 ultra‐oligotrophic and highly transparent lakes and ponds on Victoria Island, Arctic Canada. The similar limnological characteristics of the sites allowed us to examine the influence of habitat, independent of water chemistry, on the diatom assemblages. As is typical in shallow arctic water bodies, benthic taxa, including species of Achnanthes, Caloneis, Cymbella, Navicula, and Nitzschia, were most widely represented. Minor gradients in our measured environmental variables did not significantly explain any variance in diatom species, but there were marked differences in diatom assemblages among sites. Pond ephemerality seems to explain some diatom variation, because aerophilic taxa such as Achnanthes kryophila Petersen and A. marginulata Grunow were dominant in shallow sites that had undergone appreciable reductions in volume. We identified several taxa that exhibited strong habitat preferences to sediment, moss, or rock substrates and also found significant differences (P < 0.01) in diatom composition among the three habitats. In comparisons with three similar diatom surveys extending over 1200 km of latitude, we determined that surface sediment assemblages differed significantly (P < 0.001) among all regions examined. Diatom species diversity was inversely related to latitude, a result likely explained by differences in the lengths of growing seasons. These data contribute important ecological information on diatom assemblages in arctic regions and will aid in the interpretation of environmental changes in biomonitoring and paleolimnological studies.