The colonization of two Phaeocystis species (Prymnesiophyceae) by pennate diatoms and other protists: a significant contribution to colony biomass
Sazhin, A.F.; Artigas, L.F.; Nejstgaard, J.C.; Frischer, M.E. (2007). The colonization of two Phaeocystis species (Prymnesiophyceae) by pennate diatoms and other protists: a significant contribution to colony biomass. Biogeochemistry 83(1-3): 137-145. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10533-007-9086-2
In: Biogeochemistry. Springer: Dordrecht; Lancaster; Boston. ISSN 0168-2563; e-ISSN 1573-515X, more
Also appears in:Van Leeuwe, M.A.; Stefels, J.; Belviso, S.; Lancelot, C.; Verity, P.G.; Gieskes, W.W.C. (Ed.) (2007). Phaeocystis, major link in the biogeochemical cycling of climate-relevant elements. Biogeochemistry, 83(1-3). Springer: Dordrecht. ISBN 978-1-4020-6213-1. 330 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6214-8, more
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| Keywords |
Algae > Diatoms
Algal blooms
Colonies
Colonization
Population characteristics > Biomass
Phaeocystis Lagerheim, 1893 [WoRMS]; Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima (Cleve) Heiden, 1928 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
biomass estimate, colonies; colonization; Phaeocystis bloom;Pseudo-nitzschia species |
| Authors | | Top |
- Sazhin, A.F.
- Artigas, L.F.
- Nejstgaard, J.C.
- Frischer, M.E.
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| Abstract |
The association of Phaeocystis spp. with small pennate diatoms during three Phaeocystis-dominated spring blooms were investigated in the Eastern English Channel (2003 and 2004) and in coastal waters of Western Norway during a mesocosm experiment (2005). In each of these studies, colonization of the surface of large Phaeocystis spp. colonies by small needle-shaped diatoms (Pseudo-nitzschia spp.) were observed. In the English Channel the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima colonized the surface of large (>100 µm) Phaeocystis globosa colonies. The abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima reached 130 cells per colony and formed up to 70% of the total carbon associated with Phaeocystis cells during late bloom stages. In Norwegian waters, the surface of large (>250 µm) Phaeocystis pouchetii colonies were colonized by Pseudo-nitzschia cf. granii var. curvata and to a lesser degree by other phytoplankton and protist species, although the abundance of these diatoms was never greater than 40 cells per colony. Based on these observations we suggest that diatoms utilize Phaeocystis colonies not only as habitat, but that they are able to utilize the colonial matrix as a growth substrate. Furthermore, these observations indicate that a considerable fraction of biomass (chlorophyll) associated with Phaeocystis colonies, especially large colonies concerned with intense and prolonged blooms, are due to co-occurring plankton species and not exclusively Phaeocystis cells. |
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