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Skeletonema

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Skeletonema
Skeletonema costatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: Sar
Clade: Stramenopiles
Phylum: Ochrophyta
Clade: Diatomeae
Class: Bacillariophyceae
Order: Thalassiosirales
Family: Skeletonemataceae
Genus: Skeletonema
R. K. Greville, 1865
Species

Skeletonema is a genus of centric diatoms in the family Skeletonemataceae. It is the type genus of its family.[1]

Background

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Diatoms are photosynthetic organisms, meaning they obtain carbon dioxide from their surrounding environment and produce oxygen along with other byproducts. They reproduce sexually (sexual reproduction is oogamous[2]) and asexually. Skeletonema belong to the morphological category referred to as centric diatoms. These are classified by having valves with radial symmetry and the cells lack significant motility.[3]

Taxonomy

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The genus Skeletonema was established by Robert Kaye Greville in 1865 for a single fossil species, S. barbadense (now Skeletonemopsis barbadense[4]), found in Barbados deposits.[5][6] The genus has a new extant type species: S. costatum.[7]

Painting of a chain of Skeletonema costatum, a centric diatom from the temperate waters of the Atlantic. Oil on canvas. By Arnaud Muller-Feuga

Morphology and ultrastructure

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Skeletonema are cylindrical shaped with a silica frustule. Cells are joined by long marginal processes to form a filament.[3] Their length ranges from 2-61 micrometers, with a diameter ranging from 2-21 micrometers.[8]

Ecology and distribution

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They are found typically in the neritic zone of the ocean and are highly populous in coastal systems.[6] The genus is considered cosmopolitan, showing a wide range of tolerance for salinity and temperature.[9] For example, they have been found in various aquatic environments such as brackish or freshwater. Skeletonema are found worldwide excluding Antarctic waters.[10] Some species are found in both the northern and southern temperate latitudes whereas other species appear to have only subtropical to tropical ranges.[11]

Some harmful effects these diatoms may have on an ecosystem are attributed to large blooming events which may cause hypoxic events in coastal systems. Additionally, they are known to cause water discoloration.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Zingone, Adriana; Percopo, Isabella; Sims, Pat A.; Sarno, Diana (2005). "DIVERSITY IN THE GENUS SKELETONEMA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE). I. A REEXAMINATION OF THE TYPE MATERIAL OF S. COSTATUM WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF S. GREVILLEI SP. NOV.1". Journal of Phycology. 41 (1): 140–150. Bibcode:2005JPcgy..41..140Z. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.2005.04066.x. ISSN 0022-3646.
  2. ^ Mann, D. G. (1993). "Patterns of sexual reproduction in diatoms". Hydrobiologia. 269–270 (1): 11–20. Bibcode:1993HyBio.269...11M. doi:10.1007/BF00027999. ISSN 0018-8158.
  3. ^ a b A Taxonomic Guide to Some Common Marine Phytoplankton: Rita A. Horner, Biopress Limited, The Orchard, Clanage Road, Bristol, BS3 2JX, England, 2002, 195 pp.
  4. ^ Sims, Patricia A. (1994). "Skeletonemopsis, a new genus based on the fossil species of the genus Skeletonema Grev". Diatom Research. 9 (2): 387–410. Bibcode:1994DiaRe...9..387S. doi:10.1080/0269249X.1994.9705316. ISSN 0269-249X.
  5. ^ Greville, R.K. (1865). Descriptions of new and rare diatoms. Series XVI . Transactions of the Microscopical Society, New Series, London 13: 43-57 [last page as "75"], 2 pls [pls V, VI].
  6. ^ a b Jung, Seung-Won; Yun, Suk-Min; Lee, Sang-Deuk; Kim, Young-Ok; Lee, Jin-Hwan (2009-12-01). "Morphological Characteristics of Four Species in the Genus Skeletonema in Coastal Waters of South Korea". Algae. 24 (4): 195–203. Bibcode:2009Algae..24..195J. doi:10.4490/ALGAE.2009.24.4.195. ISSN 1226-2617.
  7. ^ "Skeletonema Greville, 1865, nom. et typ. cons. :: AlgaeBase". www.algaebase.org. Archived from the original on 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  8. ^ Hasle, Grethe R.; Syvertsen, Erik E. (1997), "Marine Diatoms", Identifying Marine Phytoplankton, Elsevier, pp. 5–385, doi:10.1016/b978-012693018-4/50004-5, ISBN 978-0-12-693018-4, retrieved 2025-04-28
  9. ^ Hasle, G. R. 1973. Morphology and taxonomy of Skeletonemacostatum (Bacillariophyceae). Norw. J. Bot. 20: 109-137.
  10. ^ Hevia-Orube, Joana; Orive, Emma; David, Helena; Laza-Martinez, Aitor; Seoane, Sergio (2016-07-02). "Skeletonema species in a temperate estuary: a morphological, molecular and physiological approach". Diatom Research. 31 (3): 185–197. Bibcode:2016DiaRe..31..185H. doi:10.1080/0269249X.2016.1228548. ISSN 0269-249X.
  11. ^ Kooistra, Wiebe H.C.F.; Sarno, Diana; Balzano, Sergio; Gu, Haifeng; Andersen, Robert A.; Zingone, Adriana (2008). "Global Diversity and Biogeography of Skeletonema Species (Bacillariophyta)". Protist. 159 (2): 177–193. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2007.09.004. PMID 18042429.
  12. ^ Kraberg, Alexandra; Baumann, Marcus; Dürselen, Claus-Dieter (2010). Coastal phytoplankton: photo guide for Northern European seas. Handbooks on marine flora and fauna. München: Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil. ISBN 978-3-89937-113-0.
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