Phylogenetic differences in the macromolecular composition of microalgae

Zoe Finkel1, Michael J Follows2, Justin David Liefer3, Chris M Brown3, Ina Benner4 and Andrew J Irwin5, (1)Environmental Science Program, NB, Canada, (2)Massachusetts Inst Tech, Cambridge, MA, United States, (3)Mount Allison University, Geography and Environment, SACKVILLE, NB, Canada, (4)Mount Allison University, Geography and Environment, Sackville, NB, Canada, (5)Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada
Abstract:
The C:N:P of an organism is primarily determined by its macromolecular composition. We provide a new estimate of the macromolecular composition of microalgae based on a hierarchical Bayesian analysis of data from the literature. Our analysis identifies differences in macromolecular composition across different phyla of microalgae consistent with observed differences in the carbon to nitrogen ratio. The phylum-level differences in macromolecular structure correspond with known differences in cell biology, specifically differences in the cell wall, the light harvesting apparatus and storage pools. Previous work was unable to detect these phylogenetic differences due to small sample sizes and the large inherent variability in macromolecular pools.
Back to: Beyond Redfield: Elemental Ratios as Tracers and Drivers of Biodiversity and Biogeochemical Function in a Changing Ocean I