Sexual reproductive Strategy and ecological implication of pennate diatom Pseudo-nitzschia pungens

Abstract

Sexual reproduction allows the maintainence of genetic diversity and play a fundamental role in establishing the genetic structures of population. The mating rates and number of zygotes were gradually decreased from log to death phase. The maximum zygote number was 1,390 cells per mL and maximum mating rate was 7.1% in co-cultivation of healthy parents cells of log phase, but just 9 cells per mL (mating rate: 0.1%) were observed in co-cultivation of death phase. In all co-cultivation, maximum mating rates were observed inner 10 days. Furthermore, in dark and turbulent condition, it could not make the zygote cell, and nutrient enriched condition rather interfered with the sexual events. Our results suggest that P. pungens may have adapted to make the large bloom in coastal areas to increase the sexual reproductive chance.maximum zygote number was 1,390 cells per mL and maximum mating rate was 7.1% in co-cultivation of healthy parents cells of log phase, but just 9 cells per mL (mating rate: 0.1%) were observed in co-cultivation of death phase. In all co-cultivation, maximum mating rates were observed inner 10 days. Furthermore, in dark and turbulent condition, it could not make the zygote cell, and nutrient enriched condition rather interfered with the sexual events. Our results suggest that P. pungens may have adapted to make the large bloom in coastal areas to increase the sexual reproductive chance.