Can diatom girdle band pores act as a hydrodynamic viral defense mechanism?

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.

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“…2014, Herringer et al. 2019). The reduction in scale pore size observed over the evolution of the genus Synura (Figs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological evolution of silica scales in the freshwater genus Synura (Stramenopiles)

Jadrná

Siver

Škaloud

2020

Journal of Phycology

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“…Cyanobacteria have been found to have a zeta potential ranging from -30 mV to +10 mV while diatom zeta potentials have been found to be approximately 25 mV (Martinez et al 2008;Yang et al 2012;Herringer et al 2019). Green algae are often found to be very neutral regarding their zeta potential, measured as low as 0.2 mV (Elgamouz et al 2020).…”

Section: Phytoplankton Composition Response To Emf Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electromagnetic Field Impacts on Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Abundance, Relative Abundance and Community Compositions in In-Situ Microcosms

Rodger

2024

Preprint

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The study focuses on the response of a pond’s planktonic community to a low-power (< 10 W) electromagnetic field (EMF) generating device using in situ microcosms. The objective was to observe the effects of EMF on total phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance, relative abundance and community composition of major taxa. Fifteen microcosms were installed into a pond in Stony Creek, ON to isolate water columns of 1 m in depth. Samples were collected biweekly for twelve weeks. Phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected by towing a plankton net vertically through the water columns. Overall, the EMF treatment has resulted in a subtle but significant increase in relative abundance of green algae and diatoms. The prolonged exposure to EMFs were also shown to impact copepod abundance and the biovolume temporal trends of green algae and cyanobacteria. Therefore, EMFs have a potential to affect zooplankton and phytoplankton abundance or community composition.

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“…Whilst it is clear that diatom frustules serve as protection with enhanced strength against predators and mechanical stresses thanks to their nanostructuring [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], other benefits are also linked to their design. The frustules may serve as a sieve membrane, enabling size-dependent permeability of nutrients and other beneficial particles to their living cells while excluding harmful particles, such as viruses [ 19 , 20 ]. In addition to this, their ability to control the diffusion of these molecules across the valves’ surface microtopology has been reported [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Analysis of the Light Modulation by the Frustule of Gomphonema parvulum: The Role of Integrated Optical Components

et al. 2022

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Siliceous diatom frustules present a huge variety of shapes and nanometric pore patterns. A better understanding of the light modulation by these frustules is required to determine whether or not they might have photobiological roles besides their possible utilization as building blocks in photonic applications. In this study, we propose a novel approach for analyzing the near-field light modulation by small pennate diatom frustules, utilizing the frustule of Gomphonema parvulum as a model. Numerical analysis was carried out for the wave propagation across selected 2D cross-sections in a statistically representative 3D model for the valve based on the finite element frequency domain method. The influences of light wavelength (vacuum wavelengths from 300 to 800 nm) and refractive index changes, as well as structural parameters, on the light modulation were investigated and compared to theoretical predictions when possible. The results showed complex interference patterns resulting from the overlay of different optical phenomena, which can be explained by the presence of a few integrated optical components in the valve. Moreover, studies on the complete frustule in an aqueous medium allow the discussion of its possible photobiological relevance. Furthermore, our results may enable the simple screening of unstudied pennate frustules for photonic applications.

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Can diatom girdle band pores act as a hydrodynamic viral defense mechanism?

Cited by 9 publications

References 78 publications

Morphological evolution of silica scales in the freshwater genus Synura (Stramenopiles)

Morphological evolution of silica scales in the freshwater genus Synura (Stramenopiles)

Electromagnetic Field Impacts on Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Abundance, Relative Abundance and Community Compositions in In-Situ Microcosms

Numerical Analysis of the Light Modulation by the Frustule of Gomphonema parvulum: The Role of Integrated Optical Components

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