Light-induced motile responses of the estuarine benthic diatoms Navicula perminuta and Cylindrotheca closterium (Bacillariophyceae)

Deirdre H. McLachlan, Colin Brownlee, Alison R. Taylor, Richard J. Geider, Graham J C Underwood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Motility of estuarine epipelic (mud-inhabiting) diatoms is an important adaptation to living in biofilms present within fine sediments. Motility allows cells to migrate within the photic zone in response to a wide range of environmental stimuli. The motile responses of two species of benthic diatoms to photon fluence rates and spectral quality were investigated. Cultures of Navicula perminuta (Grunow) in van Heurck and Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenb.) J. C. Lewin et Reimann both exhibited photoaccumulation at ∼200 μ;mol · m-2 · s-1 and photodispersal from photon flux densities (PFDs) of ∼15 μ;mol · m-2 · s-1. Photokinesis (changing cell speed) contributed toward photodispersal for both species, and red light (λ = 681-691 nm) was most effective at inducing this process. N. perminuta showed a phototactic (directional) response, with active movement in response to a light gradient. Although this response was exhibited in white light, these directional responses were only elicited by wavelengths from 430 to 510 nm. In contrast, C. closterium did not exhibit phototaxis under any light conditions used in this study. Motile benthic diatoms thus exhibit complex and sophisticated responses to light quantity and quality, involving combinations of photokinesis and phototaxis, which can contribute toward explaining the patterns of large-scale cell movements observed in natural estuarine biofilms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)592-599
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Phycology
Volume45
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Diatom
  • Microphytobenthos
  • Motility
  • Photokinesis
  • Photomovement
  • Photoperception
  • Phototaxis

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