Lipid degradation and photosynthetic traits after prolonged darkness in four Antarctic benthic diatoms, including the newly described species <i>Planothidium wetzelii</i> sp. nov.

ABSTRACT: In polar regions, the microphytobenthos has important ecological functions in shallow-water habitats, such as on top of coastal sediments. This community is dominated by benthic diatoms, which contribute significantly to primary production and biogeochemical cycling while also being an important component of polar food webs. Polar diatoms are able to cope with markedly changing light conditions and prolonged periods of darkness during the polar night in Antarctica. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, five strains of Antarctic benthic diatoms were isolated in the field, and the resulting unialgal cultures were identified as four distinct species, of which one is described as a new species, Planothidium wetzelii sp. nov. All four species were thoro

SUBMITTER: Juchem DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10500929 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature