Are diatoms pelagic or benthic?
These two groups of diatoms have usually biotope preferences, with centric diatoms dominating the pelagic environments, whereas the benthic habitats are mostly inhabited by pennate diatoms.
Are diatoms benthic?
Diatoms are often the dominating group of benthic algae, and therefore play an important role as primary producers, especially in running water. They are an important part of the ecosystem, with a direct impact on other organisms.
Are diatoms centric or Pennate?
Diatoms are mostly part of the plankton (Nearly all centric and some pennates). However, there are some as part of the benthos attached on substrates. Euplanktonic, permanent in the plankton (centric and few pennates). Meroplanktonic, found temporally in the plankton.
Are diatoms planktonic or benthic?
In lakes, diatoms are commonly classified as planktonic, i.e. suspended, unattached in open water, or benthic (i.e. living on the bottom of the lake floor)/periphytic (i.e. attached to substrates such as stones, aquatic vegetation and sand).
What is unique about diatoms?
A unique feature of diatom anatomy is that they are surrounded by a cell wall made of silica (hydrated silicon dioxide), called a frustule. These frustules have structural coloration due to their photonic nanostructure, prompting them to be described as “jewels of the sea” and “living opals”.
Are Pennate diatoms benthic?
Regarding biodiversity, most benthic diatoms species are different from those found in the water column, they are mostly pennate forms and are far more diverse. On the physiological side, benthic diatoms are incredibly well adapted to low light intensities.
What is a centric diatom?
Centric diatoms are radially symmetric. They are composed of upper and lower valves – epitheca and hypotheca – each consisting of a valve and a girdle band that can easily slide underneath each other and expand to increase cell content over the diatoms progression.
Are diatoms plants or animals?
Diatoms are an enigma. Neither plant nor animal, they share biochemical features of both. Though simple single-celled algae, they are covered with elegant casings sculpted from silica.
Are diatoms animals?