Abstract

Diatoms are unicellular microscopic algal cells that are enclosed in hydrated silica or glass. Unlike other motile organisms, diatoms lack cilia, flagella, or the flexibility to change shape due to their rigid silicified cell walls, and hence represent a novel system for understanding cellular movement and adaptability on surfaces. Moreover, diatoms play a significant role in aquatic habitats as they contribute to a quarter of the global primary production. In intertidal sediments, benthic (i.e., sediment-dwelling) diatoms form dense biofilms, thereby driving playing an essential role in this ecosystem. Herein, we characterize the behavioural phenotypes of representative diatom species in terms of their motility patterns through single-cell imaging and tracking. We show that each species have a distinct gliding pattern and this is dictated by their ecological niche.  As benthic diatoms contribute up to half of the primary productivity in submerged habitats, our results provide new insights into how diatom behaviour and social interactions affect larger-scale ecological processes, such as elemental cycling and nutrient fluxes. Co-author: Kirsty Y. Wan