Conserved genetic markers reveal widespread diatom sexual reproduction in the global ocean.

ABSTRACT: Sexual reproduction is a nearly universal characteristic of the eukaryotic life cycle, yet it is rarely observed in natural populations of micro-eukaryotes. Sex is particularly relevant for diatoms, a key group of marine and freshwater phytoplankton, where sexual reproduction counters a progressive cell size reduction due to cellular division. Here, we leveraged controlled sex transcriptome experiments of four diatom species to develop a robust method for in situ monitoring of sexual reproduction events. The resulting panel of conserved marker genes was validated for specificity and sensitivity using metatranscriptomic profiling of a natural estuarine community undergoing massive sexual reproduction of multiple species in response to increased salinity. Analysis of metatranscriptomic data

SUBMITTER: Bilcke G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12618581 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature