Molecular Evolution of Tubulins in Diatoms

Microtubules are formed by α- and β-tubulin heterodimers nucleated with γ-tubulin. Tubulins are conserved eukaryotic proteins. Previously, it was shown that microtubules are involved in diatom silica frustule morphogenesis. Diatom frustules are varied, and their morphology is species-specific. Despite the attractiveness of the problem of elucidating the molecular mechanisms of genetically programmed morphogenesis, the structure and evolution of diatom tubulins have not been studied previously. Based on available genomic and transcriptome data, we analyzed the phylogeny of the predicted amino acid sequences of diatom α-, β- and γ-tubulins and identified five groups for α-tubulins, six for β-tubulins and four for γ-tubulins. We identified characteristic amino acids of each of these groups and also analyzed possible posttranslational modification sites of diatom tubulins. According to our results, we assumed what changes occurred in the diatom tubulin structures during their evolution. We also identified which tubulin groups are inherent in large diatom taxa. The similarity between the evolution of diatom tubulins and the evolution of diatoms suggests that molecular changes in α-, β- and γ-tubulins could be one of the factors in the formation of a high morphological diversity of diatoms.

Large diatom bloom off the Antarctic Peninsula during cool conditions associated with the 2015/2016 El Niño

Diatoms play crucial functions in trophic structure and biogeochemical cycles. Due to poleward warming, there has been a substantial decrease in diatom biomass, especially in Antarctic regions that experience strong physical changes. Here we analyze the phytoplankton contents of water samples collected in the spring/summer of 2015/2016 off the North Antarctic Peninsula during the extreme El Niño event and compare them with corresponding satellite chlorophyll-a data. The results suggest a close link between large diatom blooms, upper ocean physical structures and sea ice cover, as a consequence of the El Niño effects. We observed massive concentrations (up to 40 mg m–3 of in situ chlorophyll-a) of diatoms coupled with substantially colder atmospheric and oceanic temperatures and high mean salinity values associated with a lower input of meltwater. We hypothesize that increased meltwater concentration due to continued atmospheric and oceanic warming trends will lead to diatom blooms becoming more episodic and spatially/temporally restricted.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYTOPLANKTON DEVELOPMENT IN MIDDLE CASPIAN IN SUMMER PERIOD

The article highlights the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of phytoplankton organisms in the water area of the Middle Caspian Sea studied by sections: the city of Makhachkala-cape Sagyndyk, the city of Derbent - cape Sandy, Divichi village - Kenderli bay in 2019-2020. The saprobity index and the corresponding saprobity zone of the studied areas have been determined. It has been found that the dominant group was presented by diatoms (43% of the total com-position). The subdominants were dinophytic algae. The basis of the ecological complex of 2019-2020 was made up of representatives of freshwater groups of algae. Only on the section of Divichi village - Kenderli bay there dominated the species of marine origin. Quantitative indicators of phy-toplankton, both in the Middle Caspian as a whole and by sections, in 2020 decreased compared to the previous year. The general part of the biomass was formed by a large diatom Pseudosolenia calcar-avis and representatives of the group of dinophytic algae. The leading role in the abundance figures of the Middle Caspian in 2020 was played by small-cell phytoplankton, mainly from diatoms - Thalassiosira hustedtii, Thalassionema nitzschioides, Aulacoseira granulate, species of the genus Fragilaria. The highest quantitative indicators of 2020 were noted in the section of the city of Makhachkala-cape Sagyndyk in the productive layer of 0-25 m. In 2019-2020, the saprobiological state of the waters of the Middle Caspian was characterized as moderately polluted

Sustained deposition of contaminants from the Deepwater Horizon spill

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill resulted in 1.6–2.6 × 1010 grams of petrocarbon accumulation on the seafloor. Data from a deep sediment trap, deployed 7.4 km SW of the well between August 2010 and October 2011, disclose that the sinking of spill-associated substances, mediated by marine particles, especially phytoplankton, continued at least 5 mo following the capping of the well. In August/September 2010, an exceptionally large diatom bloom sedimentation event coincided with elevated sinking rates of oil-derived hydrocarbons, black carbon, and two key components of drilling mud, barium and olefins. Barium remained in the water column for months and even entered pelagic food webs. Both saturated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon source indicators corroborate a predominant contribution of crude oil to the sinking hydrocarbons. Cosedimentation with diatoms accumulated contaminants that were dispersed in the water column and transported them downward, where they were concentrated into the upper centimeters of the seafloor, potentially leading to sustained impact on benthic ecosystems.

Short-term variability in the sedimentary BIT index of Lake Challa, East Africa over the past 2200 years: validating the precipitation proxy

The branched vs. isoprenoid index of tetraethers (BIT index) in Lake Challa sediments has been applied as a monsoon precipitation proxy on the assumption that the primary source of branched tetraether lipids (brGDGTs) was soil washed in from the lake's catchment. However, water column production has since been identified as the primary source of brGDGTs in Lake Challa, meaning that there is no longer a clear mechanism linking BIT index variation and precipitation. Here we investigate BIT index variation and GDGT concentrations at a decadal resolution over the past 2200 years, in combination with GDGT data from profundal surface sediments and 45 months of sediment-trap deployment. The 2200 year record reveals high-frequency variability in GDGT concentrations, and therefore the BIT index. Also surface sediments collected in January 2010 show a distinct shift in GDGT composition relative to those collected in August 2007. Increased bulk flux of settling particles with high Ti / Al ratios during March–April 2008 reflect an event of high detrital input to Lake Challa, concurrent with intense precipitation at the onset of the principal rain season that year. Although brGDGT distributions in the settling material are initially unaffected, this soil erosion event is succeeded by a large diatom bloom in July–August 2008 and a concurrent increase in GDGT-0 fluxes. Near-zero crenarchaeol fluxes indicate that no thaumarchaeotal bloom developed during the subsequent austral summer season; instead a peak in brGDGT fluxes is observed in December 2008. We suggest that increased nutrient availability, derived from eroded soil washed into the lake, stimulated both diatom productivity and the GDGT-0 producing archaea which help decompose dead diatoms passing through the suboxic zone of the water column. This disadvantaged the Thaumarchaeota that normally prosper during the following austral summer. Instead, a bloom of supposedly heterotrophic brGDGT-producing bacteria occurred. Episodic recurrence of such high soil-erosion events, integrated over multi-decadal and longer timescales and possibly enhanced by other mechanisms generating low BIT index values in dry years, can explain the positive relationship between the sedimentary BIT index and monsoon precipitation at Lake Challa. However, application elsewhere requires ascertaining the local situation of lacustrine brGDGT production and of variables affecting the productivity of Thaumarchaeota.

PARTICULAR STRUCTURE OF AN EPIPHYTIC DIATOM ASSEMBLAGE LIVING ON Ploclamium cartilagineum (LAMOROUX) DIXON (RHODOPHYCEAE: GIGARTINALES)

This is the first record of an epiphytic diatom assemblage of Ploclamium cartilagineum. Fifteen years ago observations on a specimen of P. cartilagineum revealed that large diatom of certain taxa occurred abundantly on its branches, and suggested also that it may harbor a particular diatom assemblage. Thus, we set out objective into identifying all the diatom taxa in the assemblage represented on the same P. cartilagineum specimen, and to determine their proportional abundances. Overall 46 taxa of epiphytic diatoms were identified. The diatom assemblage was characterized by abundant large forms such as Gephyria media, and Hyalodiscus punctatus a new record for the region, and the small form Cocconeis californica. Also include is, Grammatophora macilenta a new record for the region. Hitherto rare taxa in the region were very common such as Rhabdonema adriaticum, Campylopyxys garkeana, and Melosira polaris/Melosira sol. Although the estimated species richness and diversity values are high as in other assemblages of benthic diatoms, its basic structure (floristics) in which large forms rival the smaller forms in number, makes this assemblage particular. Estructura particular de una asociación de diatomeas epifitas sobre Ploclamium cartilagineum (Lamoroux) Dixon (Rhodophyceae: Gigartinales) Se presenta el primer registro de diatomeas epifitas de Ploclamium cartilagineum. Hace quince años se observó que sobre las ramas de un espécimen de P. cartilagineum habitaban abundantes taxa de diatomeas de gran tamaño, lo que sugirió que hospedaba una asociación particular de diatomeas. Bajo el objetivo de identificar todos los taxa representados de diatomeas en el mismo espécimen y determinar sus abundancias proporcionales en la asociación, se identificaron 46 taxa, de las cuales dos formas grandes resultaron abundantes: Gephyria media, y Hyalodiscus punctatus un nuevo registro para la región; así como Cocconeis californica, una forma pequeña. Asimismo, se agregó un nuevo registro para la región con Grammatophora macilenta. Varios taxa considerados raros hasta antes de este estudio fueron muy comunes, como Rhabdonema adriaticum, Campylopyxys garkeana, y Melosira polaris/Melosira sol, entre otros. Aunque la riqueza y diversidad de especies fueron elevadas (típicas) como en otros hábitats bentónicos, su estructura básica (florística) en donde formas grandes son tan abundantes como las pequeñas define una asociación particular.

Mucilaginous species of Thalassiosira Cleve emend: hasle (Diatomeae) in South Brazilian waters

Thalassiosira is a large diatom genus intensively studied since the 1970s, being well represented in diverse marine environments worldwide. Despite the long Brazilian coastline, about 8,500km, few taxonomic works have been performed to investigate the morphology of Thalassiosira species using electron microscope techniques. In this paper the mucilaginous species Thalassiosira diporocyclus, T. mala and T. minuscula were examined in light and electron microscopes, based on material gathered from South Brazilian waters, to record their frustule morphological variability. Some unrecorded findings related to the cribra structure and the cingulum bands are shown. T. mala has central areolae bearing fewer cribral pores than those located in the marginal region. In addition, the valve metrics of T. diporocyclus and T. minuscula are extended in relation to that reported in the current literature. The two species are new records for Brazilian waters, and T. diporocyclus is a new one in the Western Atlantic Ocean.