Reproduction (sexual)

Sexual reproduction comprises the steps in the diatom life cycle that provide genetic recombination and many of the processes that introduce large cells into a diatom population.

To learn this subject in depth, Kaczmarska et al. (2013) should be consulted. It is a well-written, well-illustrated resource for exploring the many reproductive strategies that diatoms have developed.

See also auxospore and reproduction (asexual).

Citations

Edlund, M.B. and Stoermer, E.F. (1991) Sexual reproduction in Stephandiscus niagarae (Bacillariophyta) Journal of Phycology 27(6): 780-793.

Publication Link: 10.1111/j.0022-3646.1991.00780.x
Edlund, M.B. and Stoermer, E.F. (1997) Ecological, evolutionary, and systematic significance of diatom life histories Journal of Phycology, 33: 897–918

Publication Link: 10.1111/j.0022-3646.1997.00897.x
Kaczmarska, I., Poulíčková, A., Sato, S., Edlund, M.B., Idei, M., Watanabe, T. and Mann, D.G. (2013) Proposals for a terminology for diatom sexual reproduction, auxospores and resting stages Diatom Research 28: 263-294

Publication Link: 10.1080/0269249X.2013.791344
Ross, R., Cox, E.J., Karayeva, N.I., Mann, D.G., Paddock, T.B.B., Simonsen, R. and Sims, P.A. (1979) An amended terminology for the siliceous components of the diatom cell Nova Hedwigia, Beihefte 64: 513-533

e-reimeri-news-img-short-caption — Steps of sexual reproduction in *Encyonema reimeri* beginning with two parental cells pairing within a mucilage copulation envelope (A) and ending with two auxospores continuing to expand and silicify (D) to become initial cells.