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Thalassiosira antarctica: vegetative and resting stage chemical composition of an ice-related marine diatom

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Abstract

A comparative investigation of the chemical composition of Thalassiosira antarctica var. antarctica vegetative and resting stages revealed C:N and C:chl a ratios to be lower in vegetative cells. These trends primarily reflect vegetative levels of C/cell below, and N/cell and chl a/cell levels above those of spores. There was a change in chemical composition with the initial formation of resting spores, and spores continued to modify their composition while maintained in a cyclic light/dark regime for about one and one half weeks. Most notable was a net increase in carbon and chlorophyll a per cell. Spores then subjected to darkness for over one week appeared to retain most of the carbon and chlorophyll a previously synthesized. These findings support the idea that resting spores enhance the survival capabilities of a species under adverse conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, V6T 2B1, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    G. J. Doucette

  2. Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 77843, College Station, Texas, USA

    G. A. Fryxell

Authors
  1. G. J. Doucette
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  2. G. A. Fryxell
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Communicated by R. O. Fournier, Halifax

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Doucette, G.J., Fryxell, G.A. Thalassiosira antarctica: vegetative and resting stage chemical composition of an ice-related marine diatom. Mar. Biol. 78, 1–6 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392964

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