Functional roles of biominerals during virus infection of Emiliania huxleyi ...

• Main Author: Johns, Christopher Thomas
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: No Publisher Supplied 2023
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.7282/t3-9q97-em14; https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/71522

A defining characteristic of marine coccolithophores are their production of calcium carbonate coccoliths, which impact both global carbon flux and our ability to view these planktonic protists from Earth-observing satellites. While the production and shedding of these coccoliths has garnered significant attention over the years, the actual mechanism, function, and purpose of calcification remains somewhat uncertain. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the ecophysiological roles of coccoliths, such as deterring predators (i.e. viruses and grazers) and enhancing photosynthesis. Emiliania huxleyi is the most abundant globally distributed coccolithophore, which can form massive mesoscale blooms in the North Atlantic. These blooms are routinely terminated by viruses, triggering a massive release of coccoliths. Currently, we have a limited understanding of the interplay between calcification on virus infection, as well as the ecosystem impacts of free coccoliths. The aim of my PhD thesis work is to ...