Chaetoceros

Chaetoceros Temporal range: 0.012–0.0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Chaetoceros furcellatus
Scientific classification
Clade:	SAR
Phylum:	Ochrophyta
Class:	Bacillariophyceae
Order:	incertae sedis
Family:	Chaetocerotaceae
Genus:	Chaetoceros Ehrenberg (1844)
Species
See text

Phytoplankton – such as this colony of Chaetoceros socialis – naturally give off fluorescent light as they dissipate excess solar energy that they cannot consume through photosynthesis.

Bright-field microscopy image of epiphytic cyanobacterial symbiont Calothrix rhizosoleniae SC01 9 (indicated by arrows) attached to a host diatom Chaetoceros sp. (c). Scale bar, 50 μm.

Chaetoceros is probably the largest genus of marine planktonic diatoms with approximately 400 species described, although many of these descriptions are no longer valid. It is often very difficult to distinguish between different Chaetoceros species.^[1][2] Several attempts have been made to restructure this large genus into subgenera and this work is still in progress.^[3][4] However, most of the effort to describe species has been focused in boreal areas, and the genus is cosmopolitan, so there are probably many tropical species still undescribed.^[5] Some species are known from the fossil record, from the Quaternary of Sweden. It is the type genus of its family.

Description[]

The genus Chaetoceros were first described by Ehrenberg in 1844.
Cells are more or less rectangular in girdle view.
Cells are usually elliptical in valve view.
Opposite setae of adjacent cells touch near their origin.

Each frustule has four siliceous processes called mushrooms or thorns that allow them to stay together forming colonies.

Chaetoceros is primarily a marine genus, but there are also accounts of species within inland waters of the United States. It is a type of centric diatom that contains a frustrule or cell wall composed of silica that contain long, thin spines (setae). The spines connect the frustules together creating a colony of cells.^[6] Cells colonies can form chains that are coiled, straight, or curved. Cell size can range from <10 um to 50 um.^[7]

Environmental ranges[]

Depth range (m): 0 - 470
Temperature range (°C): -1.952 - 29.468
Nitrate (μmol L-1): 0.053 - 34.037
Salinity: 18.564 - 37.775
Oxygen (mL L-1): 4.139 - 9.192
Phosphate (μmol L-1): 0.046 - 2.358
Silicate (μmol L-1): 0.648 - 92.735
^[8]

Beneficial effects[]

Due to its high growth rates, research has been conducted to potentially use of Chaetoceros in biotechnology.^[6][9] Some Chaetoceros species are well-established commercial aquacultures.^[10][11][12] Many of them are recognized as generally good producers of useful lipids and other biologically active products with high value-added. They have enormous potential for producing nutraceuticals and biofuel.^[13][14]

Studies suggest that colonies of Chaetoceros serve as an important food source within the water column and major carbon contributor to the benthic environment. Within the North Water, located in northern Baffin Bay, Chaetoceros has been reported to contribute about 91% of total phytoplankton cells serving as an important primary producer within this area. Therefore, contributing to oxygen production in the North Water.^[15] Overall, phytoplankton contributes to over half of Earth's oxygen production.^[16]

Blooms[]

Chaetoceros blooms have been reported to reach concentrations of 30,100 cells/ml and can persist for multiple months.^[15] Blooms are able to persist because individuals can survive at low nutrient levels. When present in large quantities, species with larger, thicker spines can damage organisms' gills.^[17] Although, this defensive trait can help the species avoid predation and further promote bloom success. Overall, intensive development of the species of the genus Chaetoceros in the Arctic Ocean has a significant impact on the biogeochemical cycle of organic carbon and silicon, as well as on a wide range of macronutrients, trace and rare earth elements.^[18]

Some currently accepted Chaetoceros species[]

See also[]

Viruses associated with Chaetoceros species

References[]

External links[]

• Algaebase
• C.H. von Quillfeldt article
• Rines 2000 article
• Index Nominum Algarum
• Catalogue of Diatom Names, California Academy of Sciences
• Chaetoceros at fossilworks