Haplo-diplontic life cycle expands coccolithophore niche
Open Access
- 16 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Copernicus GmbH in Biogeosciences (online)
- Vol. 18 (3), 1161-1184
- https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1161-2021
Abstract
Coccolithophores are globally important marine calcifying phytoplankton that utilize a haplo-diplontic life cycle. The haplo-diplontic life cycle allows coccolithophores to divide in both life cycle phases and potentially expands coccolithophore niche volume. Research has, however, to date largely overlooked the life cycle of coccolithophores and has instead focused on the diploid life cycle phase of coccolithophores. Through the synthesis and analysis of global scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coccolithophore abundance data (n=2534), we find that calcified haploid coccolithophores generally constitute a minor component of the total coccolithophore abundance (≈ 2 %–15 % depending on season). However, using case studies in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, we show that, depending on environmental conditions, calcifying haploid coccolithophores can be significant contributors to the coccolithophore standing stock (up to ≈30 %). Furthermore, using hypervolumes to quantify the niche of coccolithophores, we illustrate that the haploid and diploid life cycle phases inhabit contrasting niches and that on average this allows coccolithophores to expand their niche by ≈18.8 %, with a range of 3 %–76 % for individual species. Our results highlight that future coccolithophore research should consider both life cycle stages, as omission of the haploid life cycle phase in current research limits our understanding of coccolithophore ecology. Our results furthermore suggest a different response to nutrient limitation and stratification, which may be of relevance for further climate scenarios. Our compilation highlights the spatial and temporal sparsity of SEM measurements and the need for new molecular techniques to identify uncalcified haploid coccolithophores. Our work also emphasizes the need for further work on the carbonate chemistry niche of the coccolithophore life cycle.Funding Information
- European Research Council
- Natural Environment Research Council (NE/R015953/1, NER/O/S/2001/00680, NE/F015054/1, NE/L002434/1, NE/N011708/1)
- European Commission (265103)
This publication has 97 references indexed in Scilit:
- Seasonal to interannual phytoplankton response to physical processes in the Mediterranean Sea from satellite observationsRemote Sensing of Environment, 2012
- The “Cheshire Cat” escape strategy of the coccolithophoreEmiliania huxleyiin response to viral infectionProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2008
- Vertical and lateral variations in coccolithophore community structure across the subtropical frontal zone in the South Atlantic OceanMarine Micropaleontology, 2008
- The effects of light, macronutrients, trace metals and CO2 on the production of calcium carbonate and organic carbon in coccolithophores—A reviewDeep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2007
- Relating coccolithophore calcification rates to phytoplankton community dynamics: Regional differences and implications for carbon exportDeep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2007
- Sinking of coccolith carbonate and potential contribution to organic carbon ballasting in the deep oceanDeep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2007
- Phytoplankton carbon fixation, chlorophyll-biomass and diagnostic pigments in the Atlantic OceanDeep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2006
- Coccolithophore dynamics off Bermuda (N. Atlantic)Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2001
- Coccolithophores in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean: response to seasonal and Late Quaternary surface water variabilityMarine Micropaleontology, 2000
- Community Structure of Coccolithophores in the Photic Layer of the Mid-PacificMicropaleontology, 1974