Uncovering hidden structures: previously undescribed pseudopodia and ectoplasmic structures in planktonic foraminifera

The trophic strategies of cold-water planktonic foraminifera are not well understood due to the challenge of culturing them in polar conditions. Here, we identify previously unknown ectoplasmic and cytoplasmic projections in three species of planktonic foraminifera thriving in polar and subpolar mar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Plankton Research
Main Authors: Greco, Mattia, Westgård, Adele, Sykes, Freya Elizabeth, Mohamed, Mohamed Mahmoud Ezat Ahmed, Meilland, Julie
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press 2023
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10037/29804
https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbad031
Description
Summary:The trophic strategies of cold-water planktonic foraminifera are not well understood due to the challenge of culturing them in polar conditions. Here, we identify previously unknown ectoplasmic and cytoplasmic projections in three species of planktonic foraminifera thriving in polar and subpolar marine environments: Globigerina bulloides, Neogloboquadrina incompta and Neogloboquadrina pachyderma. These structures were observed during routine monitoring of cultured specimens sampled from the Norwegian coast, Greenland Sea and Baffin Bay. Two types of projections were discovered, including permanent and non-permanent structures such as ectoplasmic roots, twigs and twig-like projections, similar to those observed in benthic taxa Cibicides and Cibicidoides. Additionally, a previously undescribed filopodia-like projection was observed in N. pachyderma. We discuss the function, the ecological significance and the potential impact on pelagic processes of the presence of these structures in foraminifera species that occupy diverse niches in the water column. Our findings suggest that these structures may play an important role in the trophic strategies of cold-water planktonic foraminifera, and further research and observations are necessary to fully comprehend their significance in the carbon cycle