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Diatom metacommunities are structured by environmental, historical, and spatial factors that are often attributed to organism dispersal. In the McMurdo Sound region (MSR) of Antarctica, wind connects aquatic habitats through delivery of inorganic and organic matter. We evaluated the dispersal of diatoms in aeolian material and its relation to the regional diatom metacommunity using light microscopy and 18S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing. The concentration of diatoms ranged from 0 to 8.76 * 106 valves · g−1 dry aeolian material. Up to 15% of whole cells contained visible protoplasm, indicating that up to 3.43 * 104 potentially viable individuals could be dispersed in a year to a single 2 ‐cm2 site. Diatom DNA and RNA was detected at each site, reinforcing the likelihood that we observed dispersal of viable diatoms. Of the 50 known morphospecies in the MSR, 72% were identified from aeolian material using microscopy. Aeolian community composition varied primarily by site. Meanwhile, each aeolian community was comprised of morphospecies found in aquatic communities from the same lake basin. These results suggest that aeolian diatom dispersal in the MSR is spatially structured, is predominantly local, and connects local aquatic habitats via a shared species pool. Nonetheless, aeolian community structure was distinct from that of aquatic communities, indicating that intrahabitat dispersal and environmental filtering also underlie diatom metacommunity dynamics. The present study confirms that a large number of diatoms are passively dispersed by wind across a landscape characterized by aeolian processes, integrating the regional flora and contributing to metacommunity structure and landscape connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MYB transcription factor (TF) family is one of the largest and most important TF families, regulating the growth and response of microalgae to stress. However, the gene structure and characteristics of Phaeodactylum tricornutum MYB TFs, and their functions under nitrogen deficiency, have not been explored yet. To identify all P. tricornutum MYB (PtMYB) genes, the MYB gene family was analyzed at the genome‐wide level in this study. A total ofm26 PtMYB genes were identified from the genome of P. tricornutum. These PtMYB genes were divided into 5 subfamilies: 5R‐MYB, 4R‐MYB, R2R3‐MYB, R1R2R3‐MYB, and MYB‐related proteins. Phylogenetical motif and gene structure analyses of MYB genes indicated that the number and proportion of MYB TFs were species‐specific, and MYB genes exhibited a lot of duplication events from microalgae to higher plants. Furthermore, the differentially expressed patterns of all 26 PtMYB TFs implied that PtMYB genes might have functional specificity under nitrogen deficiency. Homology analysis of MYB genes revealed that PtMYB3, PtMYB15, and PtMYB21 might play important roles in the regulation of the diurnal cycle and response to nitrogen stress in P. tricornutum. PtMYB3, PtMYB15, and PtMYB21 genes might be used as potential candidate genes for further studying the regulatory mechanisms of P. tricornutum under nitrogen deficiency. This work provides an important foundation for the future research of the potential functions of PtMYB genes and its diurnal regulatory mechanisms under nitrogen deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, LSU and SSU sequences were obtained from four species of the marine planktonic diatom Planktoniella. Samples were collected and cultured from Chinese coastal waters, and morphological observations were made using light and scanning electron microscopy. Combined morphological and DNA sequence data revealed two new species herein described as Planktoniella tubulata and Planktoniella trifurcata. Planktoniella tubulata is characterized by the prominent external tubes of two rimoportulae and the long external tubes of the marginal fultoportulae. The latter are organized regularly in a ring, externally on the mantle, and protrude parallel to the valvar plane. Planktoniella trifurcata is unique in having mucilaginous extensions that usually expand into three lobes, and external extensions of the marginal fultoportulae being either tubes or spines. In the phylogenetic analyses inferred from SSU and LSU sequences, the four analyzed Planktoniella taxa formed a well‐supported monophyletic group. A suite of three characters, mucilage membranes or wings, two marginal rimoportulae, and mantle ribs are diagnostic for Planktoniella. Based on these detailed ultrastructural observations, the description of Planktoniella is emended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the ultrastructure of the cell wall and immunolocalization of alginates using specific antibodies against M‐rich alginates and MG blocks during rhizoid formation in fucoid zygotes, Silvetia babingtonii. The thallus region of 24‐h‐old zygotes had a cell wall made of three layers with different fiber distribution. In the 12‐h‐old zygotes, three layers in the thallus were observed before rhizoid formation, namely the inner, middle, and outer layers. During rhizoid elongation, only the inner layer was apparent close to the rhizoid tip area. Immunoelectron microscopy detected M‐rich blocks of alginate on the inner half of the cell wall, irrespective of the number of layers in the thallus and rhizoid regions. The MG blocks were seen to cover a slightly wider area than M‐rich alginate blocks. It was suggested that parts of M in mannuronan would be rapidly converted to G, and MG‐blocks are generated. Transcriptome analysis was performed using 3 ‐, 10 ‐, and 24‐h‐old zygotes after fertilization to examine the relationship between gene expression and alginate synthesis over time. The expression of two mannuronan C5‐epimerase homologs that convert mannuronic acid into guluronic acid in alginates was upregulated or downregulated over the course of the examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the impact of heterotrophic bacteria on microalgal physiology, we co‐cultured the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with six bacterial strains to quantify bacteria‐mediated differences in algal biomass, total intracellular lipids, and for a subset, extracellular metabolite accumulation. A Marinobacter isolate significantly increased algal cell concentrations, dry biomass, and lipid content compared to axenic algal cultures. Two other bacterial strains from the Bacteroidetes order, of the genera Algoriphagus and Muricauda, significantly lowered P. tricornutum biomass, leading to overall decreased lipid accumulation. These three bacterial co‐cultures (one mutualistic, two competitive) were analyzed for extracellular metabolites via untargeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to compare against bacteria‐free cultures. Over 80% of the extracellular metabolites differentially abundant in at least one treatment were in higher concentrations in the axenic cultures, in agreement with the hypothesis that the co‐cultured bacteria incorporated algal‐derived organic compounds for growth. Furthermore, the extracellular metabolite profiles of the two growth‐inhibiting cultures were more similar to one another than the growth‐promoting co‐culture, linking metabolite patterns to ecological role. Our results show that algal–bacterial interactions can influence the accumulation of intracellular lipids and extracellular metabolites, and suggest that utilization and accumulation of compounds outside the cell play a role in regulating microbial interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the species diversity and toxin profile of Pseudo‐nitzschia, monoclonal strains were established from Chinese southeast coastal waters. The morphology was examined under light and transmission electron microscopy. The internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA was sequenced for phylogenetic analyses, and the secondary structure of ITS2 was predicted and compared among allied taxa. A combination of morphological and molecular data showed the presence of two new species, Pseudo‐nitzschia hainanensis sp. nov. and Pseudo‐nitzschia taiwanensis sp. nov. Pseudo‐nitzschia hainanensis was characterized by a dumpy‐lanceolate valve with slightly blunt apices and a central nodule, as well as striae comprising two rows of poroids. Pseudo‐nitzschia taiwanensis was characterized by a slender‐lanceolate valve, and striae comprising one row of split poroids. The poroid structure mainly comprised two sectors. Both taxa constituted their own monophyletic lineage in the phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS2 rDNA and were well differentiated from other Pseudo‐nitzschia species. Morphologically, P. hainanensis and P. taiwanensis could be assigned to the Pseudo‐nitzschia delicatissima and the Pseudo‐nitzschia pseudodelicatissima complex, respectively. Particulate domoic acid was measured using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), but no detectable pDA was found. With the description of the two new species, the species diversity of genus Pseudo‐nitzschia reaches 58 worldwide, among which 31 have been recorded from Chinese coastal waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high degree of morphological variability is expressed between the ornately sculptured siliceous scales formed by species in the chrysophycean genus, Synura. In this study, we aimed to uncover the general principles and trends underlying the evolution of scale morphology in this genus. We assessed the relationships among thirty extant Synura species using a robust molecular analysis that included six genes, coupled with morphological characterization of the species‐specific scales. The analysis was further enriched with addition of morphological information from fossil specimens and by including the unique modern species, Synura punctulosa. We inferred the phylogenetic position of the morphologically unique S. punctulosa, to be an ancient Synura lineage related to S. splendida in the section Curtispinae. Some morphological traits, including development of a keel or a labyrinth ribbing pattern on the scale, appeared once in evolution, whereas other structures, such as a hexagonal meshwork pattern, originated independently several times over geologic time. We further uncovered numerous construction principles governing scale morphology and evolution, as follows: (i) scale roundness and pore diameter decreased during evolution; (ii) elongated scales became strengthened by a higher number of struts or ribs; (iii) as a consequence of scale biogenesis, scales with spines possessed smaller basal holes than scales with a keel and; and (iv) the keel area was proportional to scale area, indicating its potential value in strengthening the scale against breakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana was grown in continuous culture systems to study the interactive effects of temperature, irradiance, nutrient limitation, and the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) on its growth and physiological characteristics. The cells were able to grow at all combinations of low and high irradiance (50 and 300 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1, respectively, of visible light), low and high pCO2 (400 and 1,000 μatm, respectively), nutrient limitation (nitrate‐limited and nutrient‐replete conditions), and temperatures of 10–32°C. Under nutrient‐replete conditions, there was no adverse effect of high pCO2 on growth rates at temperatures of 10–25°C. The response of the cells to high pCO2 was similar at low and high irradiance. At supraoptimal temperatures of 30°C or higher, high pCO2 depressed growth rates at both low and high irradiance. Under nitrate‐limited conditions, cells were grown at 38 ± 2.4% of their nutrient‐saturated rates at the same temperature, irradiance, and pCO2. Dark respiration rates consistently removed a higher percentage of production under nitrate‐limited versus nutrient‐replete conditions. The percentages of production lost to dark respiration were positively correlated with temperature under nitrate‐limited conditions, but there was no analogous correlation under nutrient‐replete conditions. The results suggest that warmer temperatures and associated more intense thermal stratification of ocean surface waters could lower net photosynthetic rates if the stratification leads to a reduction in the relative growth rates of marine phytoplankton, and at truly supraoptimal temperatures there would likely be a synergistic interaction between the stresses from temperature and high pCO2 (lower pH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletonema marinoi is one of the most widespread marine planktonic diatoms in temperate coastal regions and sometimes can form massive blooms. Yet, the molecular mechanisms of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis in nutrient‐deficient conditions for this species are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate how the TAG biosynthetic pathway of S. marinoi reacts to the culture age and nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) deficiency at molecular levels. Meanwhile, we also described the physiological and biochemical changes of S. marinoi in response to N or P starvation over time. To obtain reliable qRT‐PCR data, six putative reference genes were identified for assessing expression stability using geNorm and BestKeeper software, and Actin exhibited the most stable expression across 45 tested S. marinoi samples. We found that the expression of TAG biosynthesis‐related genes and ACCase enzyme activity varied in response to the different nutrient conditions and culture age. Taken together, we speculated that the capacity of TAG biosynthesis in S. marinoi is induced by N or P stress, and increases with culture age. Furthermore, TAG biosynthesis appears to respond more strongly to P deficiency than to N deficiency. Our study provides important insights into how diatoms regulate the TAG biosynthetic pathway when stressed by nutrient limitation. Besides, the data obtained from this study also provide useful clues for further exploring genes that can be used for metabolic engineering to enhance lipid production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Minidiscus comprises a group of ecologically‐important and globally‐distributed planktonic diatoms that are characterized by their small cell size, high mantle and processes more or less concentrated in the valve center. Monoclonal strains were established from collections along the Chinese coast. In the phylogenetic analyses inferred from a LSU and SSU dataset, six Minidiscus species clustered into two well‐supported clades. The first clade was located within a larger clade formed mainly by Thalassiosira taxa, and the second clade appeared as sister to a clade comprising the genus Skeletonema. Hence, presently known Minidiscus do not form a monophyletic clade, but rather make up a phenotypic grouping. Based on the morphology of the type species, M. trioculatus, as well as morphological characters of all taxa in the clade with M. trioculatus, Minidiscus is characterized by having fultoportula(e) in the valve center or sub‐centered close to a single rimoportula, and the cells are usually cylindrical. Mediolabrus gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate species in the second clade. The main difference between Minidiscus and Mediolabrus is the type of process found in the valve (sub‐)center, with fultoportula(e) close to a rimoportula in the former, and only a single rimoportula in the latter. According to the above criteria, previously described Minidiscus taxa were re‐examined, and either retained in Minidiscus or transferred to Mediolabrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed morphological documentation is provided for established Proschkinia taxa, including the generitype, P. bulnheimii, and P. complanata, P. complanatula, P. complanatoides and P. hyalosirella, and six new species. All established taxa are characterized from original material from historical collections. The new species described in this paper (P. luticola, P. staurospeciosa, P. impar, P. modesta, P. fistulispectabilis, and P. rosowskii) were isolated from the Western Pacific (Yellow Sea coast of Korea) and the Atlantic (Scottish and Texas coasts). Thorough documentation of the frustule, valve and protoplast architecture revealed the combination of characters diagnostic of the genus Proschkinia: a single‐lobed chloroplast; a broad girdle composed of U‐shaped, perforated bands; the position of the conopeate raphe‐sternum relative to the external and internal valve surface; and the presence of an occluded process through the valve, termed the "fistula". Seven strains of Proschkinia were grown in culture and five of these were sequenced for nuclear ribosomal SSU and plastid‐encoded rbcL. Phylogenetic analysis recovered a clade of Proschkinia with Fistulifera, another fistula‐bearing diatom genus, and together these were sister to a clade formed of the Stauroneidaceae; in turn, all of these were sister to a clade composed of Parlibellus and two monoraphid genera Astartiella and Schizostauron. Despite morphological similarities between Proschkinia and the Naviculaceae, these two taxa are distant in our analysis. We document the variation in the morphology of Proschkinia, including significant variability in the fistula, suggesting that fistula ultrastructure might be one of the key features for species identification within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New molecular and morphological insights are presented on Campylosira africana and two new species, Extubocellulus cupola sp. nov. and Plagiogrammopsis castigatus sp. nov. Species descriptions were based on LM/SEM micrographs and a data set with concatenated sequences of SSU, rbcL and psbC loci constructed from 56 cymatosiroid strains isolated from global geographic locations. Extubocellulus cupola is distinguished by a mesh‐like marginal ridge and dome‐shaped areolation, and P. castigatus, by a prominent marginal extension at the valve center. Campylosira africana, a species from South Africa described by Professor Malcolm Giffen, has never been documented through LM or SEM, which led some authors to place it in synonymy under Campylosira cymbelliformis. We confirm that C. africana is a distinct species and provide microphotographic documentation and DNA sequences. We present morphological evidence for the well‐known cymatosiroid species Extubocellulus spinifer possessing complete pili, and we emend the generic description of Extubocellulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Known Proterozoic algal fossils raise compelling questions about the origin and diversification of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae, and their ecological influence in deep time. This Perspectives article describes particular examples of persistent evolutionary and biogeochemical issues whose resolution would be aided by additional algal fossil evidence from Proterozoic deposits, which have been the subjects of recent intensive study. New Proterozoic geosciences literature relevant to the early diversification of algae is surveyed. Previously underappreciated algal traits that might improve taxonomic attributions of fossil remains are highlighted. Processes that phycologists could use to improve detection of algal fossils are recommended. Potential geological sources of new Proterozoic fossils are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triparma laevis f. inornata is a unicellular alga belonging to the Bolidophyceae, which is most closely related to diatoms. Like diatoms, T. laevis f. inornata has a siliceous cell wall. The cell wall of T. laevis f. inornata consists of four round plates (three shields and one ventral plate) and one dorsal and three girdle plates. But, unlike diatoms, T. laevis f. inornata cells can grow when concentrations of silica are depleted. We took advantage of this ability, using TEM to study the ontogeny of the siliceous plate, pattern center formation, and development. Two types of pattern centers (annulus and sternum) were observed in the early and middle stage of plate formation. During their formation, the annuli were initially crescent‐shaped but eventually their ends fused to make a ring. Only outward silica deposition of the branching ribs occurred on the growing annulus until it became a ring, resulting in an unfilled circle inside the annulus. The pattern center of the shield plate was always an annulus, but in ventral plates both annulus and sternum were observed. The annuli and sterna in T. laevis f. inornata round plates were very similar to the annuli and sterna in diatom valves. These results suggested that the round plates of Parmales are homologous to diatom valves. This information on the plate ontogeny of T. laevis f. inornata provides new insights into the evolution of the siliceous cell wall in the Parmales and diatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]