Diatoms of North AmericaDiatom associations with marine megafauna
Description: There is more to aquatic diatoms than simply plankton and benthos. Among the many types of surface-associated diatoms, there are also those that live on marine animals. This talk will explore the fascinating world of diatom biofilms that form on aquatic wildlife, from copepods, insects, and barnacles to seabirds, sea turtles, whales, manatees, and sea snakes. Recent studies have revealed that each of these hosts carries a distinct community of epizoic diatoms, including many species found nowhere else. Emerging evidence shows that these diatom-animal partnerships are evolutionarily diverse, having arisen multiple times in different diatom lineages. Why would a photosynthetic microalga specialize to live on a moving animal? During this presentation, I will briefly discuss potential drivers behind these adaptations, such as escaping competition for stable, sunlit attachment points in the vast, dark ocean full of liquid. I will also make some comparisons between vertebrates and invertebrates and between marine and freshwater habitats. Prepare to see your favourite marine megafauna from the perspective of the microscopic critters inhabiting their shells and skin.
Intended audience: This talk is intended for amateur and professional diatomists, marine biologists, and anyone interested in unusual aquatic and marine microalgae and biofilms.
