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Patterns and drivers of diatom diversity and abundance in the global ocean

Author

Listed:
  • Juan J. Pierella Karlusich

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE
    Harvard University
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Karen Cosnier

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE)

  • Lucie Zinger

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE
    INP)

  • Nicolas Henry

    (FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE
    Sorbonne Université)

  • Charlotte Nef

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE)

  • Guillaume Bernard

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE)

  • Eleonora Scalco

    (Villa Comunale)

  • Etienne Dvorak

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE)

  • Fabio Rocha Jimenez Vieira

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE)

  • Erwan Delage

    (LS2N)

  • Samuel Chaffron

    (FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE
    LS2N)

  • Sergey Ovchinnikov

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Harvard University)

  • Adriana Zingone

    (Villa Comunale)

  • Chris Bowler

    (Université PSL
    FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE)

Abstract

Diatoms constitute one of the most diverse and ecologically important phytoplankton groups, yet their large-scale diversity patterns and drivers of abundance are unclear due to limited observations. Here, we utilize Tara Oceans molecular and morphological data, spanning pole to pole, to describe marine diatom diversity, abundance, and environmental adaptation and acclimation strategies. The dominance of diatoms among phytoplankton in terms of relative abundance and diversity is confirmed, and the most prevalent genera are Chaetoceros, Thalassiosira, Actinocyclus and Pseudo-nitzschia. We define 25 distinct diatom communities with varying environmental preferences illustrative of different life strategies. The Arctic Ocean stands out as a diatom hotspot with 6 of the diatom communities being exclusive to it. Light harvesting and photoprotection are among the cellular functions in which natural diatom populations invest the bulk of their transcriptional efforts. This comprehensive study sheds light on marine diatom distributions, offering insights to assess impacts of global change and oceanic anthropogenic impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan J. Pierella Karlusich & Karen Cosnier & Lucie Zinger & Nicolas Henry & Charlotte Nef & Guillaume Bernard & Eleonora Scalco & Etienne Dvorak & Fabio Rocha Jimenez Vieira & Erwan Delage & Samuel Ch, 2025. "Patterns and drivers of diatom diversity and abundance in the global ocean," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58027-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58027-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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