1. |
- Ahlberg, Erik, et al.
(author)
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"Vi klimatforskare stödjer Greta och skolungdomarna"
- 2019
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In: Dagens nyheter (DN debatt). - 1101-2447.
-
Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- DN DEBATT 15/3. Sedan industrialiseringens början har vi använt omkring fyra femtedelar av den mängd fossilt kol som får förbrännas för att vi ska klara Parisavtalet. Vi har bara en femtedel kvar och det är bråttom att kraftigt reducera utsläppen. Det har Greta Thunberg och de strejkande ungdomarna förstått. Därför stödjer vi deras krav, skriver 270 klimatforskare.
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2. |
- Johansson, Karin S L, et al.
(author)
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Development of a quantitative PCR method to explore the historical occurrence of a nuisance microalga under expansion
- 2016
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In: Harmful Algae. - : Elsevier BV. - 1568-9883 .- 1878-1470. ; 56, s. 67-76
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A number of marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom (HAB) species have colonized new areas and expanded their habitat range in recent years. Nevertheless it is notoriously difficult to establish when colonization first occurred, what the dispersal routes are, and to separate recent invasion from increases in existent but small populations. The freshwater raphidophyte Gonyostomum semen is a nuisance species that has expanded its habitat range and increased in abundance in northern Europe during the past decades. To evaluate to what extent sediments can be used for determining historic occurrence of G. semen, a quantitative real-time PCR method for detecting cysts of this algae was developed. This paper presents a qPCR protocol with a set of primers that are specific to Gonyostomum and with PCR conditions optimized for sediment samples from humic lakes, which are the common habitat of G. semen. With this sensitive method as few as 1.6 cysts per PCR reaction could be reliably quantified, corresponding to 320 cysts per g wet weight sediment. Cysts were present in sediments with ages ranging from years to decades and their persistence allows detection of historic populations up to at least 50 years old. With this qPCR assay it will be possible to trace the presence of G. semen in environments prior to the onset of algae-specific monitoring programs as well as for quantification in water column samples. © 2016 The Authors.
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3. |
- Anderson, D M, et al.
(author)
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Community assembly and seasonal succession of marine dinoflagellates in a temperate estuary: The importance of life cycle events
- 2006
-
In: Limnology and Oceanography. - 1939-5590. ; 51:2, s. 860-873
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dinoflagellate successional strategies and community structure were investigated in Perch Pond, a temperate estuary on the North American east coast by field surveys as well as laboratory investigations on growth rates, cyst maturation period, and cyst germination temperature thresholds. The dominant species were those predicted by the Smayda and Reynolds Rules of Assembly life form model. Three successional strategies were characterized: (1) holoplanktonic, (2) meroplanktonic (i.e., germinated from cysts), and (3) introduced by advection. The seasonal succession of the meroplanktonic dinoflagellates that were studied reflects the differential lengths of their mandatory dormancy periods as well as differences in their temperature thresholds or "windows" for germination. The holoplanktonic species present at low densities year-round in Perch Pond had a wide temperature tolerance for growth and thus did not need a cyst stage to survive seasonal extremes. Another non-cyst-forming species relied solely on advection to inoculate the salt pond; thus, blooms in successive years would be expected to be more stochastic in nature than for the other two strategies. The timing of cyst formation and population decline for meroplanktonic species corresponded on several occasions to an increase in grazers, suggesting that grazing might have contributed to bloom decline from cyst formation. This timing also suggests the possibility of encystment as a predator avoidance strategy. We suggest that seasonal succession of cyst-forming dinoflagellates is not stochastic. Instead, the appearance of these species in the plankton is predictable on the basis of measurable physiological responses to both endogenous and exogenous factors that they experience during dormancy and quiescence.
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4. |
- Andersson, Björn, 1985, et al.
(author)
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Cross-contamination risks in sediment-based resurrection studies of phytoplankton
- 2022
-
In: Limnology and Oceanography Letters. - : Wiley. - 2378-2242. ; 8:2, s. 376-84
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Resurrection studies can answer some fundamental questions in aquatic ecology and evolutionary biology. For phytoplankton resting stages, longevity of thousands to millions of years has recently been reported. However, contamination during sediment sampling could distort these estimates, and this risk has not been systematically evaluated. Here we used 4.5 mu m diameter microspheres to quantify contamination while reviving the resting stages of seven abundant estuarine diatom and cyanobacterial taxa. We observed a sharp decline in resting stages abundance from 10(6) (g wet sediment)(-1) at the surface to < 0.8 (g wet sediment)(-1) at 12.5 cm depth. Added microspheres (similar to 4.5 x 10(7) cm(-2)) were translocated even deeper down the sediment and could well explain the vertical distributions and abundances of revived cells. Without this control, we could have claimed to have revived seven multi-decades to centennial-old taxa. Our findings suggest that improved contamination controls are needed for sediment core sampling of rare cells, microfossils, or DNA molecules.
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5. |
- Andersson, Björn, 1985, et al.
(author)
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Differences in metal tolerance among strains, populations, and species of marine diatoms – Importance of exponential growth for quantification
- 2020
-
In: Aquatic Toxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-445X .- 1879-1514. ; 226
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- © 2020 The Author(s) Strains of microalgae vary in traits between species and populations due to adaptation or stochastic processes. Traits of individual strains may also vary depending on the acclimatization state and external forces, such as abiotic stress. In this study we tested how metal tolerance differs among marine diatoms at three organizational levels: species, populations, and strains. At the species level we compared two pelagic Baltic Sea diatoms (Skeletonema marinoi and Thalassiosira baltica). We found that the between-species differences in tolerance (EC50) to the biologically active metals (Cu, Co, Ni, and Zn) was similar to that within-species. In contrast, the two species differed significantly in tolerance towards the non-essential metals, Ag (three-fold higher in T. baltica), Pb and Cd (two and three-fold higher in S. marinoi). At the population level, we found evidence that increased tolerance against Cu and Co (17 and 41 % higher EC50 on average, respectively) had evolved in a S. marinoi population subjected to historical mining activity. On a strain level we demonstrate how the growth phase of cultures (i.e., cellular densities above exponential growth) modulated dose-response relationships to Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, and Zn. Specifically, the EC50's were reduced by 10–60 % in non-exponentially growing S. marinoi (strain RO5AC), depending on metal. For the essential metals these differences were often larger than the average differences between the two species and populations. Consequently, without careful experimental design, interactions between nutrient limitation and metal stress may interfere with detection of small, but evolutionary and ecologically important, differences in tolerance between microalgae. To avoid such artifacts, we outline a semi-continuous cultivation approach that maintains, and empirically tests, that exponential growth is achieved. We argue that such an approach is essential to enable comparison of population or strain differences in tolerance using dose-response tests on cultures of microalgae.
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6. |
- Andersson, Björn, 1985, et al.
(author)
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Intraspecific variation in metal tolerance modulate competition between two marine diatoms
- 2022
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In: ISME Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1751-7362 .- 1751-7370. ; 16, s. 511-520
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite widespread metal pollution of coastal ecosystems, little is known of its effect on marine phytoplankton. We designed a co-cultivation experiment to test if toxic dose–response relationships can be used to predict the competitive outcome of two species under metal stress. Specifically, we took into account intraspecific strain variation and selection. We used 72 h dose–response relationships to model how silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) affect both intraspecific strain selection and competition between taxa in two marine diatoms (Skeletonema marinoi and Thalassiosira baltica). The models were validated against 10-day co-culture experiments, using four strains per species. In the control treatment, we could predict the outcome using strain-specific growth rates, suggesting low levels of competitive interactions between the species. Our models correctly predicted which species would gain a competitive advantage under toxic stress. However, the absolute inhibition levels were confounded by the development of chronic toxic stress, resulting in a higher long-term inhibition by Cd and Cu. We failed to detect species differences in average Cu tolerance, but the model accounting for strain selection accurately predicted a competitive advantage for T. baltica. Our findings demonstrate the importance of incorporating multiple strains when determining traits and when performing microbial competition experiments.
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7. |
- Andersson, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Strain-specific metabarcoding reveals rapid evolution of copper tolerance in populations of the coastal diatom Skeletonema marinoi
- 2023
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In: Molecular Ecology. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Phytoplankton have short generation times, flexible reproduction strategies, large population sizes and high standing genetic diversity, traits that should facilitate rapid evolution under directional selection. We quantified local adaptation of copper tolerance in a population of the diatom Skeletonema marinoi from a mining-exposed inlet in the Baltic Sea and in a non-exposed population 100 km away. We hypothesized that mining pollution has driven evolution of elevated copper tolerance in the impacted population of S. marinoi. Assays of 58 strains originating from sediment resting stages revealed no difference in the average tolerance to copper between the two populations. However, variation within populations was greater at the mining site, with three strains displaying hyper-tolerant phenotypes. In an artificial evolution experiment, we used a novel intraspecific metabarcoding locus to track selection and quantify fitness of all 58 strains during co-cultivation in one control and one toxic copper treatment. As expected, the hyper-tolerant strains enabled rapid evolution of copper tolerance in the mining-exposed population through selection on available strain diversity. Within 42 days, in each experimental replicate a single strain dominated (30%–99% abundance) but different strains dominated the different treatments. The reference population developed tolerance beyond expectations primarily due to slowly developing plastic response in one strain, suggesting that different modes of copper tolerance are present in the two populations. Our findings provide novel empirical evidence that standing genetic diversity of phytoplankton resting stage allows populations to evolve rapidly (20–50 generations) and flexibly on timescales relevant for seasonal bloom progressions.
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8. |
- Annenkova, Nataliia, et al.
(author)
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Recent radiation in a marine and freshwater dinoflagellate species flock.
- 2015
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In: The Isme Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1751-7362 .- 1751-7370. ; 9:8, s. 1821-1834
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Processes of rapid radiation among unicellular eukaryotes are much less studied than among multicellular organisms. We have investigated a lineage of cold-water microeukaryotes (protists) that appear to have diverged recently. This lineage stands in stark contrast to known examples of phylogenetically closely related protists, in which genetic difference is typically larger than morphological differences. We found that the group not only consists of the marine-brackish dinoflagellate species Scrippsiella hangoei and the freshwater species Peridinium aciculiferum as discovered previously but also of a whole species flock. The additional species include Peridinium euryceps and Peridinium baicalense, which are restricted to a few lakes, in particular to the ancient Lake Baikal, Russia, and freshwater S. hangoei from Lake Baikal. These species are characterized by relatively large conspicuous morphological differences, which have given rise to the different species descriptions. However, our scanning electron microscopic studies indicate that they belong to a single genus according to traditional morphological characterization of dinoflagellates (thecal plate patterns). Moreover, we found that they have identical SSU (small subunit) rDNA fragments and distinct but very small differences in the DNA markers LSU (large subunit) rDNA, ITS2 (internal transcribed spacer 2) and COB (cytochrome b) gene, which are used to delineate dinoflagellates species. As some of the species co-occur, and all four have small but species-specific sequence differences, we suggest that these taxa are not a case of phenotypic plasticity but originated via recent adaptive radiation. We propose that this is the first clear example among free-living microeukaryotes of recent rapid diversification into several species followed by dispersion to environments with different ecological conditions.The ISME Journal advance online publication, 20 January 2015; doi:10.1038/ismej.2014.267.
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9. |
- Annenkova, Nataliia V., et al.
(author)
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Closely related dinoflagellate species in vastly different habitats–an example of a marine–freshwater transition
- 2020
-
In: European Journal of Phycology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0967-0262 .- 1469-4433. ; 55:4, s. 478-489
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Phytoplankton are present in a large variety of aquatic environments, ranging from small freshwater ponds to the oceans. Typically, freshwater and marine species are not closely related, indicating an ancient divergence and that salinity poses a strong dispersal barrier. Here we reveal a common recent origin of two dinoflagellates that are well adapted to different habitats. Gymnodinium baicalense inhabits the geologically old freshwater Lake Baikal, which is located in the middle of the Eurasian continent. Gymnodinium corollarium, on the other hand, is a brackish water species from the Baltic Sea. Both species form blooms under ice during the spring. We generated 10 DNA sequences from these species. The partial 28S rRNA gene from G. baicalense and the partial 18S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS2) from G. corollarium were sequenced for the first time. A more detailed description of G. baicalense, which was previously known only from light microscopy observations, is also provided. In the laboratory we demonstrated that G. baicalense is strictly adapted to fresh water, while G. corollarium had a wide salinity tolerance. However, the two species have almost identical morphology, identical SSU rRNA gene sequences, and only small differences in the LSU rRNA gene and ITS2. We infer a common ancestor, which was a species from the Arctic region with a tolerance to a range of salinities. Our data support the scenario that the under-ice phytoplankton community in Lake Baikal has been formed recently, even though the lake is the oldest in the world.
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10. |
- Annenkova, Nataliia V., et al.
(author)
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Delineating closely related dinoflagellate lineages using phylotranscriptomics
- 2018
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In: Journal of Phycology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3646. ; 54:4, s. 571-576
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recently radiated dinoflagellates Apocalathium aciculiferum (collected in Lake Erken, Sweden), Apocalathium malmogiense (Baltic Sea) and Apocalathium aff. malmogiense (Highway Lake, Antarctica) represent a lineage with an unresolved phylogeny. We determined their phylogenetic relationships using phylotranscriptomics based on 792 amino acid sequences. Our results showed that A. aciculiferum diverged from the other two closely related lineages, consistent with their different morphologies in cell size, relative cell length and presence of spines. We hypothesized that A. aff. malmogiense and A. malmogiense, which inhabit different hemispheres, are evolutionarily more closely related because they diverged from a marine common ancestor, adapting to a wide salinity range, while A. aciculiferum colonized a freshwater habitat, by acquiring adaptations to this environment, in particular, salinity intolerance. We show that phylotranscriptomics can resolve the phylogeny of recently diverged protists. This has broad relevance, given that many phytoplankton species are morphologically very similar, and single genes sometimes lack the information to determine species’ relationships.
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11. |
- Björnerås, Caroline, et al.
(author)
-
Inland blue holes of The Bahamas - chemistry and biology in a unique aquatic environment
- 2020
-
In: Fundamental and Applied Limnology. - : Schweizerbart science publishers. - 1863-9135. ; 194:2, s. 95-106
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- While lake systems in temperate regions have been extensively studied, tropical and subtropical systems have received less attention. Here, we describe the water chemistry and biota of ten inland blue holes on Andros Island, The Bahamas, representative of the morphological, abiotic, and biotic variation among Androsian inland blue holes. The majority of the studied blue holes were vertically stratified with oxic freshwater overlying anoxic saline groundwater of marine origin. Water chemistry (e.g. total phosphorus and nitrogen) in shallow waters was similar among blue holes, while turbidity and water color varied. Presence of hydrogen sulfide and reduced iron in and below the halocline indicate reducing conditions in all stratified blue holes. The biota above the halocline was also similar among blue holes with a few taxa dominating the phytoplankton community, and the zooplankton community consisting of copepods and rotifers. The Bahamas mosquitofish (Gambusia hubbsi) was present in all investigated blue holes, often accompanied by other small planktivorous fish, while the piscivorous bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus donnitor) was only present in some of the blue holes. Our field study reinforces that inland blue holes are highly interesting for biogeochemical research, and provide naturally replicated systems for evolutionary studies.
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12. |
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13. |
- Brutemark, A, et al.
(author)
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An experimental investigation of phytoplankton nutrient limitation in two contrasting low arctic lakes
- 2006
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In: Polar Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-2056 .- 0722-4060. ; 29:6, s. 487-494
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigated whether phytoplankton communities in two lakes in SW Greenland were phosphorus or nitrogen limited. The study lakes have contrasting water chemistry (mean conductivities differ ten fold) and are located near Kangerlussuaq, SW Greenland (similar to 67 degrees N, 51 degrees W). A microcosm nutrient enrichment experiment was performed in June 2003 to determine whether nitrate or phosphate addition stimulated phytoplankton growth. Samples were analysed for species composition, biomass, and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA). Initially, both lakes had extremely low total phosphorus but high total nitrogen concentrations and high APA, suggesting that the phytoplankton were phosphorus limited prior to the start of the experiment. The phytoplankton composition and biomass (mainly Ochromonas spp.) responded to phosphate but not to nitrate addition. In both lakes, chlorophyll a increased significantly when phosphate was added. Furthermore, APA was significantly lower in the two lakes when phosphate was added compared to the control and the nitrogen addition treatment. The dominance of mixotrophic pbytoplankton and high DOC values suggest that these lakes may be regulated by microbial loop processes.
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14. |
- Bunse, Carina, et al.
(author)
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Spatio-Temporal Interdependence of Bacteria and Phytoplankton during a Baltic Sea Spring Bloom
- 2016
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In: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-302X. ; 7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In temperate systems, phytoplankton spring blooms deplete inorganic nutrients and are major sources of organic matter for the microbial loop. In response to phytoplankton exudates and environmental factors, heterotrophic microbial communities are highly dynamic and change their abundance and composition both on spatial and temporal scales. Yet, most of our understanding about these processes comes from laboratory model organism studies, mesocosm experiments or single temporal transects. Spatial -temporal studies examining interactions of phytoplankton blooms and bacterioplankton community composition and function, though being highly informative, are scarce. In this study, pelagic microbial community dynamics (bacteria and phytoplankton) and environmental variables were monitored during a spring bloom across the Baltic Proper (two cruises between North Germany to Gulf of Finland). To test to what extent bacterioplankton community composition relates to the spring bloom, we used next generation amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, phytoplankton diversity analysis based on microscopy counts and population genotyping of the dominating diatom Skeletonema rnarinoi. Several phytoplankton bloom related and environmental variables were identified to influence bacterial community composition. Members of Bacteroidetes and Alphaproteobacteria dominated the bacterial community composition but the bacterial groups showed no apparent correlation with direct bloom related variables. The less abundant bacterial phyla Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Verrucomicrobia, on the other hand, were strongly associated with phytoplankton biomass, diatom:dinoflagellate ratio, and colored dissolved organic matter (cDOM). Many bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) showed high niche specificities. For example, particular Bacteroidetes OTUs were associated with two distinct genetic clusters of S. marinoi. Our study revealed the complexity of interactions of bacterial taxa with inter- and intraspecific genetic variation in phytoplankton. Overall, our findings imply that biotic and abiotic factors during spring bloom influence bacterial community dynamics in a hierarchical manner.
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15. |
- Bustamante-Gil, Carolina, et al.
(author)
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Checklist, new records, and taxonomic annotations of freshwater thecate dinoflagellate (Dinophyceae) in Colombia
- 2021
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In: Phytotaxa. - : Magnolia Press. - 1179-3155 .- 1179-3163. ; 509:2, s. 135-167
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A study on the freshwater dinoflagellate (Dinophyceae) of Colombia was carried out based on samples from four swamps, nine reservoirs, a small insular lake, and additional specimens deposited in the phycological collection of Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia, and the collection of Universidad de La Plata, Argentina. For most species, detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided. Moreover, the geographical distribution of the species is updated. Durinskia spp., Glochidinium penardiforme, Naiadinium polonicum, Peridiniopsis elpatiewskyi, Peridiniopsis quadridens, and Sphaerodinium fimbriatum, are reported for the first time in Colombia. Furthermore, the correct sulcal plate pattern was determined for Naidinium polonicum which has been misinterpreted in earlier literature.
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16. |
- Carey, Cayelan C., et al.
(author)
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The cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata stimulates the growth of other phytoplankton
- 2010
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In: Journal of Plankton Research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0142-7873 .- 1464-3774. ; 32:9, s. 1349-1354
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We tested the effect of the cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata on a diverse array of phytoplankton. We found that Gloeotrichia increased the growth rates of five of seven phytoplankton species up to 620% in comparison with a medium-only control after 96 h.
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17. |
- Cornwallis, Charlie K, et al.
(author)
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Single-cell adaptations shape evolutionary transitions to multicellularity in green algae
- 2023
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In: Nature Ecology and Evolution. - 2397-334X. ; 7:6, s. 889-902
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The evolution of multicellular life has played a pivotal role in shaping biological diversity. However, we know surprisingly little about the natural environmental conditions that favour the formation of multicellular groups. Here we experimentally examine how key environmental factors (predation, nitrogen and water turbulence) combine to influence multicellular group formation in 35 wild unicellular green algae strains (19 Chlorophyta species). All environmental factors induced the formation of multicellular groups (more than four cells), but there was no evidence this was adaptive, as multicellularity (% cells in groups) was not related to population growth rate under any condition. Instead, population growth was related to extracellular matrix (ECM) around single cells and palmelloid formation, a unicellular life-cycle stage where two to four cells are retained within a mother-cell wall after mitosis. ECM production increased with nitrogen levels resulting in more cells being in palmelloids and higher rates of multicellular group formation. Examining the distribution of 332 algae species across 478 lakes monitored over 55 years, showed that ECM and nitrogen availability also predicted patterns of obligate multicellularity in nature. Our results highlight that adaptations of unicellular organisms to cope with environmental challenges may be key to understanding evolutionary routes to multicellular life.
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18. |
- Figueroa, Rosa, et al.
(author)
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From homothally to heterothally; mating preferences and genetic variation within clones of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum
- 2010
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In: Deep-Sea Research. Part Ii, Topical Studies in Oceanography. - : Elsevier BV. - 0967-0645. ; 57:3-4, s. 190-198
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The chain-forming dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum Graham is responsible for outbreaks of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), a human health threat in coastal waters. Sexuality in this species is of great importance in its bloom dynamics, and has been shown to be very complex but lacks an explanation. For this reason, we tested if unreported homothallic behavior and rapid genetic changes may clarify the sexual system of this alga. To achieve this objective, 12 clonal strains collected from the Spanish coast were analyzed for the presence of sexual reproduction. Mating affinity results, self-compatibility studies, and genetic fingerprinting (amplified fragment length polymorphism, AFLP) analysis on clonal strains, showed three facts not previously described for this species: (i) That there is a continuous mating system within G. catenatum, with either self-compatible strains (homothallic), or strains that needed to be outcrossed (heterothallic), and with a range of differences in cyst production among the crosses. (ii) There was intraclonal genetic variation, i.e. genetic variation within an asexual lineage. Moreover, the variability among homothallic clones was smaller than among the heterothallic ones. (iii) Sibling strains (the two strains established by the germination of one cyst) increased their intra- and inter-sexual compatibility with time. To summarize, we have found that G. catenatum's sexual system is much more complex than previously described, including complex homothallic/heterothallic behaviors. Additionally, high rates of genetic variability may arise in clonal strains, although explanations for the mechanisms responsible are still lacking. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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19. |
- Figueroa, R I, et al.
(author)
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Effects of parental factors and meiosis on sexual offspring of Gymnodinium nolleri (Dinophyceae).
- 2006
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In: Journal of Phycology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3646 .- 1529-8817. ; 42:2, s. 350-362
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Clonal strains of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium nolleri Ellegaard and Moestrup were intercrossed to determine if cyst-related traits are genetically regulated and to clarify unknown aspects in the sexuality of this species. The objectives were to determine whether the parental identity influenced the physiological and morphological aspects of the cyst offspring, and to describe and compare nuclear development and cell division of encysting and non-encysting zygotes. Variables characteristic of each parental cross (difference in growth rates among parents, cyst production (CP), and genetic distance (GD) among parents assessed via an amplified fragment length analysis analysis) were studied to seek for possible relationships of the parental crosses with some characteristics of the cyst offspring (cyst size, length of dormancy period, germination success, and germling viability (V)). A principal component analysis using these variables showed three main results: (1) the dormancy period of cysts responded to a simple pattern of inheritance, (2) the larger the GD between parents, the smaller the CP, and progeny V, and (3) the size of cysts was influenced by both CP and the parental strain identity. A stable inheritance of the short dormancy period (14.6±5.5 days), dominant over medium (31.0±8.5 days) and long periods (52.7±9.2 days), was confirmed through two subsequent generations of cysts. The regulation of the sexual processes by a multiple loci system is discussed based on the pattern of inheritance of the dormancy period and the number of sexual recombination events recorded within cultures with self-CP capability. Fusion of the gamete nuclei happened 0–48 h after the total cytoplasmic fusion. The nucleus of the zygote was bilobed and had thick and distinct chromosomes. Similar processes of nuclear and cell division occurred in the non-encysting or encysting planozygote, and were characterized by the loss of the chromosomal structure, an apparent increase of the DNA content, and the formation of thinner chromosomes.
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20. |
- Figueroa, Rosa, et al.
(author)
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Life cyle and sexuality of the freshwater raphidophyte Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae)
- 2006
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In: Journal of Phycology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3646 .- 1529-8817. ; 42:4, s. 859-871
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previously unknown aspects in the life cycle of the freshwater flagellate Gonyostomum semen (Ehrenb.) (Raphidophyceae) are described here. This species forms intense blooms in many northern temperate lakes, and has increased in abundance and frequency in northern Europe during the past decades. The proposed life cycle is based on observations of life cycle stages and transitions in cultures. Viable stages of the life cycle were individually isolated and monitored by time-lapse photography. The most common processes undertaken by the isolated cells were: division, fusion followed by division, asexual cyst formation, and sexual cyst formation. Motile cells divided by two different processes. One lasted between 6 and 24 h and formed two cells with vegetative cell size and with or without the same shape. The second division process lasted between 10 and 20 min and formed two identical cells, half the size of the mother cell. Planozygotes formed by the fusion of hologametes subsequently underwent division into two cells. Asexual cyst-like stages were spherical, devoid of a thick wall and red spot, and germinated in 24-48 h. Heterogamete pairs were isogamous, and formed an angle of 0-90 degrees between each other. Planozygote and sexual cyst formation were identified within strains established from one vegetative cell. The identity of these strains, which was studied by an amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis, was correlated with the viability of the planozygote. Resting cyst germination was described using cysts collected in the field. The size and morphology of these cysts were comparable with those formed sexually in culture. The excystment rate was higher at 24 degrees C than at 19 or 16 degrees C, although the cell liberated during germination (germling) was only viable at 16 degrees C. The placement of G. semen within the Raphidophyceae family was confirmed by sequence analysis of a segment of the 18S ribosomal DNA.
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21. |
- Fistarol, Giovana, et al.
(author)
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Temporary cyst formation in phytoplankton: a response to allelopathic competitors?
- 2004
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In: Environmental Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 1462-2912 .- 1462-2920. ; 6:8, s. 791-798
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Competition among phytoplankton for limiting resources may involve direct or indirect interactions. A direct interaction of competitors is the release of chemicals that inhibit other species, a process known as allelopathy. Here, we investigated the allelopathic effect of three toxic microalgae species (Alexandrium tamarense, Karenia mikimotoi and Chrysochromulina polylepis) on a natural population of the dinoflagellate Scrippsiella trochoidea. Our major findings were that in addition to causing death of S. trochoidea cells, the allelopathic species also induced the formation of temporary cysts in S. trochoidea. Because cysts were not lysed, encystment may act as a defence mechanism for S. trochoidea to resist allelochemicals, especially when the allelopathic effect is moderate. By forming temporary cysts, S. trochoidea may be able to overcome the effect of allelochemicals, and thereby have an adaptive advantage over other organisms unable to do so.
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22. |
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23. |
- Godhe, Anna, 1967, et al.
(author)
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Physical barriers and environmental gradients cause spatial and temporal genetic differentiation of an extensive algal bloom
- 2016
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In: Journal of Biogeography. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0305-0270 .- 1365-2699. ; 43:6, s. 1130-1142
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: To test if a phytoplankton bloom is panmictic, or whether geographical and environmental factors cause spatial and temporal genetic structure.Location: Baltic Sea.Method: During four cruises, we isolated clonal strains of the diatom Skeletonema marinoifrom 9 to 10 stations along a 1132 km transect and analysed the genetic structure using eight microsatellites. Using F-statistics and Bayesian clustering analysis we determined if samples were significantly differentiated. A seascape approach was applied to examine correlations between gene flow and oceanographic connectivity, and combined partial Mantel test and RDA based variation partitioning to investigate associations with environmental gradients.Results: The bloom was initiated during the second half of March in the southern and the northern- parts of the transect, and later propagated offshore. By mid-April the bloom declined in the south, whereas high phytoplankton biomass was recorded northward. We found two significantly differentiated populations along the transect. Genotypes were significantly isolated by distance and by the south–north salinity gradient, which illustrated that the effects of distance and environment were confounded. The gene flow among the sampled stations was significantly correlated with oceanographic connectivity. The depletion of silica during the progression of the bloom was related to a temporal population genetic shift.Main conclusions: A phytoplankton bloom may propagate as a continuous cascade and yet be genetically structured over both spatial and temporal scales. The Baltic Sea spring bloom displayed strong spatial structure driven by oceanographic connectivity and geographical distance, which was enhanced by the pronounced salinity gradient. Temporal transition of conditions important for growth may induce genetic shifts and different phenotypic strategies, which serve to maintain the bloom over longer periods.
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24. |
- Gollnisch, Raphael, et al.
(author)
-
Calcium and pH interaction limits bloom formation and expansion of a nuisance microalga
- 2021
-
In: Limnology and Oceanography. - : Wiley. - 1939-5590 .- 0024-3590.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microalgal range expansions are increasing in frequency and magnitude but generally remain unnoticed until mass development occurs. Gonyostomum semen is a freshwater raphidophyte that causes nuisance blooms in lakes and has recently expanded its distribution across Europe. G. semen was considered to mainly occur in humic lakes in the boreal region but is now found in high density also in other freshwater habitats on a larger geographic scale with growing incidence. In this study, we focused on which environmental factors limit its expansion. Our hypothesis was that G. semen occurs in many different lake types, except for high alkalinity lakes, in which high pH in combination with high calcium concentration would inhibit its growth. Results from our field study illustrate the environmental heterogeneity of G. semen bloom sites across Europe and the United States. Nevertheless, none of these sites combined high pH and high calcium concentration. In a mesocosm study, as well as a laboratory experiment, we further demonstrated that growth of G. semen is inhibited in conditions combining both high pH and high calcium concentration. We also discuss the function of Sphagnum peat mosses in rendering an alkaline habitat suitable to G. semen growth. Our study highlights that high alkalinity environments act as a major colonization barrier to G. semen. While this finding explains which environmental filters limit G. semen distribution it also helps in understanding its current expansion. With globally decreasing calcium concentrations in freshwater ecosystems, new habitats have and will become conducive to G. semen growth.
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25. |
- Gollnisch, Raphael, et al.
(author)
-
Sag-rad : A Method for Single-Cell Population Genomics of Unicellular Eukaryotes
- 2023
-
In: Molecular biology and evolution. - 0737-4038. ; 40:5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sequencing of reduced representation libraries enables genotyping of many individuals for population genomic studies. However, high amounts of DNA are required, and the method cannot be applied directly on single cells, preventing its use on most microbes. We developed and implemented the analysis of single amplified genomes followed by restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing to bypass labor-intensive culturing and to avoid culturing bias in population genomic studies of unicellular eukaryotes. This method thus opens the way for addressing important questions about the genetic diversity, gene flow, adaptation, dispersal, and biogeography of hitherto unexplored species.
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26. |
- Gollnisch, Raphael, et al.
(author)
-
Single-cell genomics of a bloom-forming phytoplankton species reveals population genetic structure across continents
- 2024
-
In: The Isme Journal. - 1751-7362. ; 18:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study of microbial diversity over time and space is fundamental to the understanding of their ecology and evolution. The underlying processes driving these patterns are not fully resolved but can be studied using population genetic approaches. Here we investigated the population genetic structure of Gonyostomum semen, a bloom-forming phytoplankton species, across two continents. The species appears to be expanding in Europe, whereas similar trends are not observed in the USA. Our aim was to investigate if populations of Gonyostomum semen in Europe and in the USA are genetically differentiated, if there is population genetic structure within the continents, and what the potential drivers of differentiation are. To this end, we used a novel method based on single-amplified genomes combined with Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing that allows de novo genotyping of natural single-cell isolates without the need for culturing. We amplified over 900 single-cell genomes from 25 lake populations across Europe and the USA and identified two distinct population clusters, one in Europe and another in the USA. Low genetic diversity in European populations supports the hypothesized recent expansion of Gonyostomum semen on this continent. Geographic population structure within each continent was associated with differences in environmental variables that may have led to ecological divergence of population clusters. Overall, our results show that single-amplified genomes combined with Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing can be used to analyze microalgal population structure and differentiation based on single-cell isolates from natural, uncultured samples.
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27. |
- Gross, Elisabeth, et al.
(author)
-
Allelochemical interactions among aquatic primary producers
- 2012. - 1
-
In: Chemical Ecology in Aquatic Systems. - Oxford : Oxford University Press. - 9780199583102 ; , s. 196-209
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Allelopathy is the study of biochemically-driven organismic interactions among primary producers. One organism affects others by the release of allelochemicals that are transported to the target cells, and cause a negative (or positive) response. Most aquatic allelochemicals are amphiphilic, thus have a sufficient solubility in the water, and at the same time can bind to and penetrate lipophilic cell membranes. Allelopathic interactions are not static but are influenced by variable environmental stressors. Resource availability can both affect the production and release of allelochemicals by the producing organism, but also influence the susceptibility of the target cells. The biosynthesis and excretion of allelochemicals might involve costs for the producing organism, and these costs will only be balanced if a net gain, i.e. better resource availability such as space or nutrients or secondary benefits, e.g. predator deterrence, are achieved. Allelopathic effects against cooccurring organisms might lead to coevolutionary responses, i.e. a lower susceptibility of target cells or to more advanced allelochemicals. Target organisms from different habitats might be more susceptible, especially if they are not acquainted with the allelochemicals. The transfer of laboratory results on allelopathy to realistic field conditions is complex, and might in the long run benefit from advanced analytical and molecular methods identifying specific target cell responses in situ.
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28. |
- Gustafsson, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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Increased consumer fitness following transfer of toxin tolerance to offspring via maternal effects
- 2005
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In: Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0012-9658. ; 86:10, s. 2561-2567
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adaptations and, counteradaptations are common in coevolving predatorprey systems, but little is known of the role of maternal transfer of adaptive traits in mediating species interactions. Here, we focused on tolerance against cyanobacterial toxins and asked whether this tolerance was an induced defense developed during Daphnia's lifetime, whether it was a trait that is constantly expressed, and whether such tolerance to the toxin can be transferred to the next generation through maternal effects. These questions were addressed by feeding a single clone of Daphnia magna a diet with and without algal toxin and recording changes in fitness (as intrinsic rate of population increase). Analysis of F1, F2, and F3 generations revealed that the increased tolerance to toxic Microcystis was an inducible defense developed during an individual's lifetime, and that this trait could be transferred from mother to offspring. This maternal effect was expressed in several fitness parameters, including shorter time to maturity and first reproduction, and higher numbers of offspring compared to inexperienced individuals. In some circumstances, such maternal effects may increase population production by up to 40% and may help to stabilize material and energy transfer to higher trophic levels.
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29. |
- Gustafsson, Susanne, et al.
(author)
-
On the control of HAB species using low biosurfactant concentrations
- 2009
-
In: Harmful Algae. - : Elsevier BV. - 1878-1470 .- 1568-9883. ; 8, s. 857-863
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biosurfactants have been suggested as a method to control harmful algal blooms (HABs), but warrant further and more in-depth investigation. Here we have investigated the algicidal effect of a biosurfactant produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa on five diverse marine and freshwater HAB species that have not been tested previously. These include Alexandrium minutum (Dinophycaee), Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae), Pseudonitzschia sp. (Bacillariophyceae), in marine ecosystems, and Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) and Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyecae) in freshwater. We examined not only lethal but also sub-lethal effects of the biosurfactant. In addition, the effect of the biosurfactant on Daphnia was tested. Our conclusions were that very low biosurfactant concentrations (5 μg mL−1) decreased both the photosynthesis efficiency and the cell viability and that higher concentrations (50 μg mL−1) had lethal effects in four of the five HAB species tested. The low concentrations employed in this study and the diversity of HAB genera tested suggest that biosurfactants may be used to either control initial algal blooms without causing negative side effect to the ecosystem, or to provoke lethal effects when necessary.
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30. |
- Hansson, Lars-Anders, et al.
(author)
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Cyanobacterial chemical warfare alters zooplankton commuinty composition
- 2007
-
In: Freshwater Biology. - : Wiley. - 0046-5070 .- 1365-2427. ; 52:7, s. 1290-1301
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 1) Toxic algal blooms widely affect our use of water resources both with respect to drinking water and recreation. However, it is not only humans, but also organisms living in freshwater and marine ecosystems, that may be affected by algal toxins. 2) In order to assess if cyanobacterial toxins affect the composition of natural zooplankton communities, we quantified the temporal fluctuations in microcystin concentration and zooplankton community composition in six lakes. 3) Microcystin concentrations generally showed a bimodal pattern with peaks in early summer and in autumn, and total zooplankton biomass was negatively correlated with microcystin concentrations. Separating the zooplankton assemblages into finer taxonomic groups revealed that high microcystin concentrations were negatively correlated with Daphnia and calanoid copepods, but positively correlated with small, relatively inefficient phytoplankton feeders such as cyclopoid copepods, Bosmina and rotifers. 4) In a complementary, mechanistic laboratory experiment using the natural phytoplankton communities from the six lakes, we showed that changes in in situ levels of microcystin were coupled with reduced adult size and diminished juvenile biomass in Daphnia. 5) We argue that in eutrophic lakes, large unselective herbivores, such as Daphnia, are ”sandwiched” between high fish predation and toxic food (cyanobacteria). In combination, these two mechanisms may explain why the zooplankton community in eutrophic lakes is generally comprised of small forms (e.g. rotifers and Bosmina) and selective raptorial feeders, such as cyclopoid copepods, whereas large, unselective herbivores, such as Daphnia, are rare. Hence, this cyanobacterial chemical warfare against herbivores may add to our knowledge on population and community dynamics among zooplankton in eutrophic systems.
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31. |
- Jerney, Jacqueline, et al.
(author)
-
Seasonal genotype dynamics of a marine dinoflagellate : Pelagic populations are homogeneous and as diverse as benthic seed banks
- 2021
-
In: Molecular Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetic diversity is the basis for evolutionary adaptation and selection under changing environmental conditions. Phytoplankton populations are genotypically diverse, can become genetically differentiated within small spatiotemporal scales and many species form resting stages. Resting stage accumulations in sediments (seed banks) are expected to serve as reservoirs for genetic information, but so far their role in maintaining phytoplankton diversity and in evolution has remained unclear. In this study we used the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) as a model organism to investigate if (i) the benthic seed bank is more diverse than the pelagic population and (ii) the pelagic population is seasonally differentiated. Resting stages (benthic) and plankton (pelagic) samples were collected at a coastal bloom site in the Baltic Sea, followed by cell isolation and genotyping using microsatellite markers (MS) and restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD). High clonal diversity (98%–100%) combined with intermediate to low gene diversity (0.58–0.03, depending on the marker) was found. Surprisingly, the benthic and pelagic fractions of the population were equally diverse, and the pelagic fraction was temporally homogeneous, despite seasonal fluctuation of environmental selection pressures. The results of this study suggest that continuous benthic–pelagic coupling, combined with frequent sexual reproduction, as indicated by persistent linkage equilibrium, prevent the dominance of single clonal lineages in a dynamic environment. Both processes harmonize the pelagic with the benthic population and thus prevent seasonal population differentiation. At the same time, frequent sexual reproduction and benthic–pelagic coupling maintain high clonal diversity in both habitats.
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32. |
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33. |
- Karlsson-Elfgren, I, et al.
(author)
-
Factors regulating recruitment from the sediment to the water column in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata
- 2004
-
In: Freshwater Biology. - : Wiley. - 0046-5070 .- 1365-2427. ; 49:3, s. 265-273
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 1. The influence of light, temperature, sediment mixing and sediment origin (water depth) on the recruitment of the cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata was examined in the laboratory. 2. Light and temperature were the most important factors initiating germination in G. echinulata. 3. The extent of germination (recruited biovolume) was mainly regulated by temperature and sediment mixing. Furthermore, sediment mixing significantly enhanced the frequency of observed heterocysts and colonies. 4. Despite the fact that the deep and shallow sediments contained a similar number of akinete colonies, the highest recruitment occurred from shallow sediments, indicating that akinetes from shallow sediments have a higher viability than those from deeper parts of the lake. 5. Our results support the hypothesis that shallow sediments are more important than profundal sediments for the recruitment of G. echinulata to the pelagic zone.
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34. |
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35. |
- Kremp, Anke, et al.
(author)
-
Species-specific encystment patterns in three Baltic cold-water dinoflagellates: The role of multiple cues in resting cyst formation
- 2009
-
In: Limnology and Oceanography. - 1939-5590. ; 54:4, s. 1125-1138
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The relationships among cellular nutrient status, environmental conditions (temperature and nutrient availability), and cyst production were studied in batch cultures of three cold-water dinoflagellates (Scrippsiella hangoei, Gymnodinium corollarium, and Woloszynskia halophila) isolated from the Baltic Sea. We tested the effect of increasing temperature while providing nutrient-replete conditions as well as the effect of ambient nutrient (N, P) deficiency. The results revealed different encystment cues and patterns in the three species. While depletion of ambient nitrogen and subsequent internal N stress were the primary factors behind cyst production of G. corollarium, higher temperature led to substantial encystment of S. hangoei and W. halophila without a direct link to cellular nutrient physiology. In W. halophila, N limitation induced a transition of the population to small cells presumably representing gametes, but this process was not followed by cyst formation. Phosphorus stress was not directly linked to cyst formation in any of the species. Our data indicate that both reliable token cues (such as temperature) and ultimate causes (for example, nutrient depletion) for encystment are likely involved in the cystformation process. Such duality might provide an explanation for multiple triggers inducing encystment in laboratory settings and the lack of evidence for a direct relationship between nutrient depletion and cyst formation in the field.
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36. |
- Leblond, Jeffrey D., et al.
(author)
-
A data mining approach to dinoflagellate clustering according to sterol composition : correlations with evolutionary history
- 2010
-
In: International journal of data mining and bioinformatics. - 1748-5673. ; 4:4, s. 431-451
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study examined the sterol compositions of 102 dinoflagellates using clustering and cluster validation techniques, as a means of determining the relatedness of the organisms. In addition, dinoflagellate sterol-based relationships were compared statistically to 18S rDNA-based phylogenetic relationships using the Mantel test. Our results indicated that the examined dinoflagellates formed six clusters based on sterol composition and that several, but not all, dinoflagellate genera, which formed discrete clusters in the 18S rDNA-based phylogeny, shared similar sterol compositions. This and other correspondences suggest that the sterol compositions of dinoflagellates are explained, to a certain extent, by the evolutionary history of this lineage.
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37. |
- Leblond, J D, et al.
(author)
-
Fatty acid and sterol composition of two evolutionarily closely related dinoflagellate morphospecies from cold Scandinavian brackish and freshwaters
- 2006
-
In: European Journal of Phycology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1469-4433 .- 0967-0262. ; 41:3, s. 303-311
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Little is known about the lipid composition of cold-adapted dinoflagellates. Here, we investigate Peridinium aciculiferum and Scrippsiella hangoei, two cold-adapted dinoflagellate morphospecies that present significant differences in general morphology, physiology and habitat, but which share identical ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences, indicating a recent evolutionary divergence between them. Despite their present taxonomic names, it is now known that these two genetically isolated morphospecies are evolutionarily related to the so-called Pfiesteria-like species. We have found that chloroplast-associated glycolipids from P. aciculiferum and S. hangoei contained a higher relative percentage of two polyunsaturated C-18 fatty acids (octadecapentaenoic [18:5(n-3)] and octadecatetraenoic [18:4(n-3)] acids), and a lower relative percentage of hexadecanoic acid (16:0) than typically observed in previously examined warm-adapted dinoflagellate species. This suggests that these two fatty acids provided the requisite membrane fluidity for chloroplasts under a cold growth condition in these two organisms. A similar increase in 18:5(n-3) and 18:4(n-3) over warm-adapted species was also found in the phospholipids and triglycerides. P. aciculiferum and S. hangoei were also examined for the production of unique sterols that may serve as chemical biomarkers. Both were found to have a very similar sterol composition, consisting of two common dinoflagellate sterols, cholestanol and dinostanol, as dominant sterols, along with a number of other common dinoflagellate sterols as minor sterols. This demonstrated the absence of a specific steroidal biomarker but, more importantly, showed that these two morphospecies still produce very similar sterols despite having diverged in several other traits.
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38. |
- Leblond, Jeffrey D., et al.
(author)
-
Sterols of the Green-Pigmented, Freshwater Raphidophyte, Gonyostomum semen, from Scandinavian Lakes
- 2013
-
In: Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 1066-5234 .- 1550-7408. ; 60:4, s. 399-405
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sterols are a class of membrane-reinforcing, ringed lipids which have a long history of examination in algae as a means of deriving chemotaxonomic relationships and as potential lipidic biomarkers. The Raphidophyceae represent a class of harmful, bloom-forming, marine and freshwater algae. To date, there have been four published examinations of their sterol composition, focusing primarily on brown-pigmented, marine species within the genera, Chattonella, Fibrocapsa, and Heterosigma. Lacking in these examinations has been the species Gonyostomum semen Ehrenb., which is a green-pigmented, freshwater raphidophyte with a worldwide distribution. The goal of this study was to examine the sterol composition of this nuisance alga, determine the potential of using its sterol profile as a biomarker, and finally to determine if there is any intraspecific variability between isolates. We have examined 21 isolates of G. semen from a number of Scandinavian lakes, and all were found to produce two major sterols, 24-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3-ol and 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3-ol, and 24-methylcholest-5-en-3-ol as a minor sterol; the presence of 24-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3-ol differentiates G. semen from brown-pigmented, marine raphidophytes which generally lack it. The results of this study indicate that isolates of G. semen from geographically separate lakes across Finland and Scandinavia have the same sterol biosynthetic pathway, and that there is no evolutionary divergence between the isolates with regard to sterol composition. The sterols of G. semen are not considered to be useful biomarkers for this particular organism because they are commonly found in other algae and plants.
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39. |
- Lebret, Karen, et al.
(author)
-
Genetic diversity within and genetic differentiation between blooms of a microalgal species
- 2012
-
In: Environmental Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 1462-2912 .- 1462-2920. ; 14:9, s. 2395-2404
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The field of genetic diversity in protists, particularly phytoplankton, is under expansion. However, little is known regarding variation in genetic diversity within populations over time. The aim of our study was to investigate intrapopulation genetic diversity and genetic differentiation in the freshwater bloom-forming microalga Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae). The study covered a 2-year period including all phases of the bloom. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to determine the genetic structure and diversity of the population. Our results showed a significant differentiation between samples collected during the two blooms from consecutive years. Also, an increase of gene diversity and a loss of differentiation among sampling dates were observed over time within a single bloom. The latter observations may reflect the continuous germination of cysts from the sediment. The life cycle characteristics of G. semen, particularly reproduction and recruitment, most likely explain a high proportion of the observed variation. This study highlights the importance of the life cycle for the intraspecific genetic diversity of microbial species, which alternates between sexual and asexual reproduction.
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40. |
- Lebret, Karen, et al.
(author)
-
Grazing resistance allows bloom formation and may explain invasion success of Gonyostomum semen
- 2012
-
In: Limnology and Oceanography. - : Wiley. - 0024-3590 .- 1939-5590. ; 57:3, s. 727-734
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The nuisance alga Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) has expanded in the Nordic countries during the last decades and can dominate lake phytoplankton communities almost completely. A possible explanation to its dominance could be limited grazing by zooplankton. We investigated the potential grazing pressure on G. semen using an experimental approach supported by field data. We determined the grazing rate by cladocerans, calanoid copepods, and Chaoborus larvae to determine which were able to feed on G. semen. Only the large cladoceran Daphnia magna was able to feed successfully on G. semen. The large cell size of G. semen was likely a limiting factor for the filtering apparatus of smaller cladocerans. The copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis did not graze on G. semen, although the mechanism behind this selective feeding is still unknown. In addition to the experimental study, we quantified the zooplankton and phytoplankton communities in 40 lakes to determine the composition and abundance of the zooplankton communities co-occurring with G. semen, suggesting that large cladoceran species were not present in lakes where G. semen occurred. Hence, the growth of G. semen is not significantly controlled by grazing in natural systems, which likely facilitates bloom formation and invasion success of G. semen.
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41. |
- Lebret, Karen, et al.
(author)
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Phylogeography of the freshwater raphidophyte Gonyostomum semen confirms a recent expansion in northern Europe by a single haplotype
- 2015
-
In: Journal of Phycology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3646 .- 1529-8817. ; 51:4, s. 768-781
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gonyostmum semen is a freshwater raphidophyte that has increased in occurrence and abundance in several countries in northern Europe since the 1980s. More recently, the species has expanded rapidly also in north-eastern Europe, and it is frequently referred to as invasive. To better understand the species history, we have explored the phylogeography of G. semen using strains from northern Europe, United States, and Japan. Three regions of the ribosomal RNA gene (small subunit [SSU], internal transcribed spacer [ITS] and large subunit [LSU]) and one mitochondrial DNA marker (cox1) were analyzed. The SSU and partial LSU sequences were identical in all strains, confirming that they belong to the same species. The ITS region differentiated the American from the other strains, but showed high intra-strain variability. In contrast, the mitochondrial marker cox1 showed distinct differences between the European, American, and Japanese strains. Interestingly, only one cox1 haplotype was detected in European strains. The overall low diversity and weak geographic structure within northern European strains supported the hypothesis of a recent invasion of new lakes by G. semen. Our data also show that the invasive northern European lineage is genetically distinct from the lineages from the other continents. Finally, we concluded that the mitochondrial cox1 was the most useful marker in determining large-scale biogeographic patterns in this species.
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42. |
- Lebret, Karen, et al.
(author)
-
Population Genetic Structure of a Microalgal Species under Expansion
- 2013
-
In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:12, s. e82510-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biological invasions often cause major perturbations in the environment and are well studied among macroorganisms. Less is known about invasion by free-living microbes. Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) is a freshwater phytoplankton species that has increased in abundance in Northern Europe since the 1980's and has expanded its habitat range. In this study, we aimed to determine the genetic population structure of G. semen in Northern Europe and to what extent it reflects the species' recent expansion. We sampled lakes from 12 locations (11 lakes) in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Multiple strains from each location were genotyped using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP). We found low differentiation between locations, and low gene diversity within each location. Moreover, there was an absence of genetic isolation with distance (Mantel test, p = 0.50). According to a Bayesian clustering method all the isolates belonged to the same genetic population. Together our data suggest the presence of one metapopulation and an overall low diversity, which is coherent with a recent expansion of G. semen.
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43. |
- Lee, Marcus, et al.
(author)
-
Low-latitude zooplankton pigmentation plasticity in response to multiple threats
- 2019
-
In: Royal Society Open Science. - : Royal Society Open Science. - 2054-5703. ; 6:7, s. 1-10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Crustacean copepods in high-latitude lakes frequently alter their pigmentation facultatively to defend themselves against prevailing threats, such as solar ultraviolet radiation ( UVR) and visually oriented predators. Strong seasonality in those environments promotes phenotypic plasticity. To date, no one has investigated whether low-latitude copepods, experiencing continuous stress from UVR and predation threats, exhibit similar inducible defences. We here investigated the pigmentation levels of Bahamian 'blue hole' copepods, addressing this deficit. Examining several populations varying in predation risk, we found the lowest levels of pigmentation in the population experiencing the highest predation pressure. In a laboratory experiment, we found that, in contrast with our predictions, copepods from these relatively constant environments did show some changes in pigmentation subsequent to the removal of UVR; however, exposure to water from different predation regimes induced minor and idiosyncratic pigmentation change. Our findings suggest that low-latitude zooplankton in inland environments may exhibit reduced, but non-zero, levels of phenotypic plasticity compared with their high-latitude counterparts.
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44. |
- Legrand, Catherine, et al.
(author)
-
Allelopathy in phytoplankton – biochemical, ecological and evolutionary aspects
- 2003
-
In: Phycologia. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0031-8884 .- 2330-2968. ; 42:4, s. 406-419
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is considered self-evident that chemical interactions are a component of competition in terrestrial systems, but they are largely unknown in aquatic systems. In this review, we propose that chemical interactions, specifically allelopathy, are an important part of phytoplankton competition. Allelopathy, as defined here, applies only to the inhibitory effects of secondary metabolites produced by one species on the growth or physiological function of another phytoplankton species. A number of approaches are used to study allelopathy, but there is no standard methodology available. One of the methods used is cross-culturing, in which the cell-free filtrate of a donor alga is added to the medium of the target species. Another is to study the effect of cell extracts of unknown constituents, isolated exudates or purified allelochemicals on the growth of other algal species. There is a clear lack of controlled field experiments because few allelochemicals have been identified. Molecular methods will be important in future to study the expression and regulation of allelochemicals. Most of the identified allelochemicals have been described for cyanobacteria but some known toxins of marine dinoflagellates and freshwater cyanobacteria also have an allelochemical effect. The mode of action of allelochemicals spans a wide range. The most common effect is to cause cell lysis, blistering, or growth inhibition. The factors that affect allelochemical production have not been studied much, although nutrient limitation, pH, and temperature appear to have an effect. The evolutionary aspects of allelopathy remain largely unknown, but we hypothesize that the producers of allelochemicals should gain a competitive advantage over other phytoplankton. Finally, we discuss the possibility of using allelochemicals to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs). Allelopathic agents are used for biological control in agriculture, e.g. green manures to control soil diseases in Australia, but they have not yet been applied in the context of HABs. We suggest that phytoplankton allelochemicals have the potential for management of HABs in localized areas.
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45. |
- Logares, Ramiro, et al.
(author)
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Biogeography of bacterial communities exposed to progressive long-term environmental change
- 2013
-
In: The ISME Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1751-7362 .- 1751-7370. ; 7:5, s. 937-948
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The response of microbial communities to long-term environmental change is poorly understood. Here, we study bacterioplankton communities in a unique system of coastal Antarctic lakes that were exposed to progressive long-term environmental change, using 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rDNA gene (V3-V4 regions). At the time of formation, most of the studied lakes harbored marine-coastal microbial communities, as they were connected to the sea. During the past 20 000 years, most lakes isolated from the sea, and subsequently they experienced a gradual, but strong, salinity change that eventually developed into a gradient ranging from freshwater (salinity 0) to hypersaline (salinity 100). Our results indicated that present bacterioplankton community composition was strongly correlated with salinity and weakly correlated with geographical distance between lakes. A few abundant taxa were shared between some lakes and coastal marine communities. Nevertheless, lakes contained a large number of taxa that were not detected in the adjacent sea. Abundant and rare taxa within saline communities presented similar biogeography, suggesting that these groups have comparable environmental sensitivity. Habitat specialists and generalists were detected among abundant and rare taxa, with specialists being relatively more abundant at the extremes of the salinity gradient. Altogether, progressive long-term salinity change appears to have promoted the diversification of bacterioplankton communities by modifying the composition of ancestral communities and by allowing the establishment of new taxa. The ISME Journal (2013) 7, 937-948; doi:10.1038/ismej.2012.168; published online 20 December 2012
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46. |
- Logares, Ramiro, et al.
(author)
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Contrasting prevalence of selection and drift in the community structuring of bacteria and microbial eukaryotes
- 2018
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In: Environmental Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 1462-2912 .- 1462-2920. ; 20:6, s. 2231-2240
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Whether or not communities of microbial eukaryotes are structured in the same way as bacteria is a general and poorly explored question in ecology. Here, we investigated this question in a set of planktonic lake microbiotas in Eastern Antarctica that represent a natural community ecology experiment. Most of the analysed lakes emerged from the sea during the last 6000 years, giving rise to waterbodies that originally contained marine microbiotas and that subsequently evolved into habitats ranging from freshwater to hypersaline. We show that habitat diversification has promoted selection driven by the salinity gradient in bacterial communities (explaining approximate to 72% of taxa turnover), while microeukaryotic counterparts were predominantly structured by ecological drift (approximate to 72% of the turnover). Nevertheless, we also detected a number of microeukaryotes with specific responses to salinity, indicating that albeit minor, selection has had a role in the structuring of specific members of their communities. In sum, we conclude that microeukaryotes and bacteria inhabiting the same communities can be structured predominantly by different processes. This should be considered in future studies aiming to understand the mechanisms that shape microbial assemblages.
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47. |
- Logares, Ramiro, et al.
(author)
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Extensive dinoflagellate phylogenies indicate infrequent marine-freshwater transitions
- 2007
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In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1095-9513 .- 1055-7903. ; 45:3, s. 887-903
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have constructed extensive 18S–28S rDNA dinoflagellate phylogenies (>200 sequences for each marker) using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference to study the evolutionary relationships among marine and freshwater species (43 new sequences). Our results indicated that (a) marine and freshwater species are usually not closely related, (b) several freshwater species cluster into monophyletic groups, (c) most marine–freshwater transitions do not seem to have occurred recently and, (d) only a small fraction of the marine lineages seem to have colonized fresh waters. Thus, it becomes apparent that the marine–freshwater boundary has acted as a barrier during the evolutionary diversification of dinoflagellates. Our results also shed light on the phylogenetic positions of several freshwater dinoflagellates which, to date, were uncertain.
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48. |
- Logares, Ramiro, et al.
(author)
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Genetic diversity patterns in five protist species occuring in lakes
- 2009
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In: Protist. - : Elsevier BV. - 1434-4610 .- 1618-0941. ; 160:2, s. 301-317
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Little is known about the extent of the genetic diversity and its structuring patterns in protist species living in lakes. Here, we have investigated the genetic diversity patterns within five dinoflagellate species (Peridinium aciculiferum, Peridinium cinctum, Peridiniopsis borgei, Polarella glacialis, Scrippsiella aff. hangoei) that are present in lakes and sometimes, in marine habitats located in polar and temperate regions. A total of 68 clonal strains were investigated using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP), a sensitive genetic fingerprinting technique. All used strains within each species had identical ITS nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences, a characteristic that indicates that they likely belong to the same species. We found a wide variability in the genetic diversity among species (between 20% and 90% of polymorphic loci; Nei's gene diversity between 0.08 and 0.37). In some cases, our analyses suggested the presence of different genetically homogeneous subgroups (genetic populations) within the same water body. Thus, it appears that different genetic populations can coexist within the same lake despite the likely occurrence of recombination that tends to homogenize the gene pool. Overall, our results indicated that a large number of dinoflagellate genotypes are present in lake populations, instead of a few dominating ones. In addition, our study shows that protists with identical ITS sequences can harbor considerable amounts of genetic diversity.
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49. |
- Logares, Ramiro, et al.
(author)
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Infrequent marine-freshwater transitions in the microbial world
- 2009
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In: Trends in Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0966-842X .- 1878-4380. ; 17:9, s. 414-422
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Until recently, the evolutionary relationships between marine and freshwater microbes were unclear, but the use of molecular phylogenies is beginning to shed light on this subject. An increasing amount of studies are showing that marine and freshwater microbes (including viruses) are usually not closely related, often grouping into distinct marine and freshwater phylogenetic clusters, similar to what has been reported before for macroorganisms. These studies indicate that marine–freshwater transitions have been infrequent events during the diversification of microbes and that most of these transitions occurred a long time ago in evolutionary terms. Here we discuss the significance of recent studies addressing this question and consider possible avenues for future research.
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50. |
- Logares, Ramiro, et al.
(author)
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Phenotypically different microalgal morphospecies with identical ribosomal DNA: A case of rapid adaptive evolution?
- 2007
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In: Microbial Ecology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-184X .- 0095-3628. ; 53:4, s. 549-561
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The agents driving the divergence and speciation of free-living microbial populations are still largely unknown. We investigated the dinoflagellate morphospecies Scrippsiella hangoei and Peridinium aciculiferum, which abound in the Baltic Sea and in northern temperate lakes, respectively. Electron microscopy analyses showed significant interspecific differences in the external cellular morphology, but a similar plate pattern in the characteristic dinoflagellate armor. Experimentally, S. hangoei grew in a wide range of salinities (0–30), whereas P. aciculiferum only grew in low salinities (0–3). Despite these phenotypic differences and the habitat segregation, molecular analyses showed identical ribosomal DNA sequences (ITS1, ITS2, 5.8S, SSU, and partial LSU) for both morphospecies. Yet, a strong interspecific genetic isolation was indicated by amplified fragment length polymorphism (F ST = 0.76) and cytochrome b (cob) sequence divergence (∼1.90%). Phylogenetic reconstructions based on ribosomal (SSU, LSU) and mitochondrial (cob) DNA indicated a recent marine ancestor for P. aciculiferum. In conclusion, we suggest that the lacustrine P. aciculiferum and the marine-brackish S. hangoei diverged very recently, after a marine–freshwater transition that exposed the ancestral populations to different selective pressures. This hypothetical scenario agrees with mounting data indicating a significant role of natural selection in the divergence of free-living microbes, despite their virtually unrestricted dispersal capabilities. Finally, our results indicate that identical ITS rDNA sequences do not necessarily imply the same microbial species, as commonly assumed.
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