School of BioSciences - Research Publications
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ItemNew pelagophytes show a novel mode of algal colony development and reveal a perforated theca that may define the class(WILEY, 2021-04)Pelagophytes (Heterokonta) are a morphologically diverse class of marine algae historically united only by DNA sequences. We established clonal cultures of sand-dwelling pelagophytes collected from intertidal pools around Australia. Phylogenetic trees based on nuclear 18S rDNA and plastid rbcL, psaA, psaB, psbA, and psbC sequences revealed two new genera, Gazia and Glomerochrysis, related to Aureoumbra in a distinct lineage within the Sarcinochrysidaceae (Pelagophyceae). The three new species (Gazia saundersii, Gazia australica, and Glomerochrysis psammophila), along with an Australian strain of Aureoumbra geitleri, are characterized by dominant benthic stages that differ significantly from one another, while occasionally producing classic heterokont zoospores. The benthic stage of Ga. saundersii has a novel development not observed in any other colonial alga, consisting of large, spherical colonies (up to 140 μm in diameter) containing c. 2,500 cells that eventually differentiate and segregate into a large number of daughter colonies that are subsequently liberated. Alternatively, colonies may differentiate into a mass of zoospores that escape and settle to develop into new colonies. In Gl. psammophila, cubic packets of cells form large sticky clusters that bind sand together, while Ga. australica and A. geitleri are unicellular species. Using fixation by high-pressure freezing, a distinctive perforated theca was observed by TEM in all genera of this lineage, and we hypothesize this unique covering may be the first morphological feature to characterize most, if not all, pelagophytes. This study substantiates the diverse nature of sand-dwelling pelagophytes as well as their mechanisms for thriving in a dynamic habitat.
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ItemThe golden paradox - a new heterokont lineage with chloroplasts surrounded by two membranes(WILEY, 2019-04)A marine, sand-dwelling, golden-brown alga is described from clonal cultures established from a high intertidal pool in southeastern Australia. This tiny, unicellular species, which we call the "golden paradox" (Chrysoparadoxa australica gen. et sp. nov.), is benthic, surrounded by a multilayered cell wall and attached to the substratum by a complex adhesive plug. Each vegetative cell gives rise to a single, naked zoospore with heterokont flagella that settles and may become briefly amoeboid prior to dividing. Daughter cells are initially amoeboid, then either permanently attach and return to the benthic stage or become motile again prior to final settlement. Two deeply lobed chloroplasts occupy opposite ends of the cell and are surrounded by only two membranes. The outer chloroplast membrane is continuous between the two chloroplasts via the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. Only two membranes occupy the chloroplast-nucleus interface, the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope and the inner chloroplast membrane. A small pyrenoid is found in each chloroplast and closely abuts the nucleus or protrudes into it. It contains an unusual, membrane-bound inclusion that stains with SYBR green but is unlikely to be a nucleomorph. Phylogenies inferred from a 10-gene concatenated alignment show an early-branching position within the PX clade. The unusual morphological features and phylogenetic position indicate C. australica should be classified as a new class, Chrysoparadoxophyceae. Despite an atypical plastid, exploration of the C. australica transcriptome revealed typical heterokont protein targeting to the plastid.
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ItemA new marine prasinophyte genus alternates between a flagellate and a dominant benthic stage with microrhizoids for adhesion(WILEY, 2019-12)Prasinophytes (Chlorophyta) are a diverse, paraphyletic group of planktonic microalgae for which benthic species are largely unknown. Here, we report a sand-dwelling, marine prasinophyte with several novel features observed in clonal cultures established from numerous locations around Australia. The new genus and species, which we name Microrhizoidea pickettheapsiorum (Mamiellophyceae), alternates between a benthic palmelloid colony, where cell division occurs, and a planktonic flagellate. Flagellates are short lived, settle and quickly resorb their flagella, the basal bodies then nucleate novel tubular appendages, termed "microrhizoids", that lack an axoneme and function to anchor benthic cells to the substratum. To our knowledge, microrhizoids have not been observed in any other green alga or protist, are slightly smaller in diameter than flagella, generally contain nine microtubules, are long (3-5 times the length of flagella) and are not encased in scales. Following settlement, cell divisions result in a loose, palmelloid colony, each cell connected to the substratum by two microrhizoids. Flagellates are round to bean-shaped with two long, slightly uneven flagella. Both benthic cells and flagellates, along with their flagella, are encased in thin scales. Phylogenies based on the complete chloroplast genome of Microrhizoidea show that it is clearly a member of the Mamiellophyceae, most closely related to Dolichomastix tenuilepsis. More taxon-rich phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA gene, including metabarcodes from the Tara Oceans and Ocean Sampling Day projects, confidently show the distinctive nature of Microrhizoidea, and that the described biodiversity of the Mamiellophyceae is a fraction of its real biodiversity. The discovery of a largely benthic prasinophyte changes our perspective on this group of algae and, along with the observation of other potential benthic lineages in environmental sequences, illustrates that benthic habitats can be a rich ground for algal biodiscovery.