Diel size distributions reveal seasonal growth dynamics of a coastal phytoplankter.

ABSTRACT: Phytoplankton account for roughly half of global primary production; it is vital that we understand the processes that control their abundance. A key process is cell division. We have, however, been unable to estimate division rate in natural populations at the appropriate timescale (hours to days) for extended periods of time (months to years). For phytoplankton, the diel change in cell size distribution is related to division rate, which offers an avenue to obtain estimates from in situ observations. We show that a matrix population model, fit to hourly cell size distributions, accurately estimates division rates of both cultured and natural populations of Synechococcus. Application of the model to Synechococcus at the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory provides an unprecedented view

SUBMITTER: Hunter-Cevera KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4103375 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature