Survival in the dark: strategies adopted by Tetraselmis indica (Chlorodendrophyceae, Chlorophyta). Issue 5 (28th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naik, Sangeeta Mahableshwar; Anil, Arga Chandrashekar
• Is Part Of: Marine biology research. Volume 14:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 448
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 2018-05-28
• Subjects: Hongyue Dang; Tetraselmis indica -- growth -- metabolic activity -- resting cell; Marine biology -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- North Atlantic Ocean -- Periodicals; 578.7705
• DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2018.1464188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-1000

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The adaptive strategy of Tetraselmis indica to survive darkness was evaluated over a period of 182 days. Resting cells formation and reduction in catabolic activity facilitated dark survival and their rejuvenation. The occurrence of thick-walled cells (type 1) and thin-walled cells with the condensed chloroplast (type 2) in light-dark and dark conditions respectively indicated differential resting cell formation. The dissolved organic carbon remained nearly constant throughout the dark period signifying T. indica did not favour heterotrophy. Upon re-illumination of dark-adapted cells, the lag phase lengthened from 2 to 28 days when darkness period increased from 8 to 182 days, respectively. However, this negative influence on growth was compensated by an increase in growth rate from 0.35 to 0.95 d −1 . This resurgence capability of T. indica after six months of dark exposure and distinctive resting cell formation indicate a differential population sustenance mechanism. Further elucidation of dark adaptability and survival strategies in T. indica may have significance in ecological and evolutionary processes.