02991nas a2200229 4500008004100000245018700041210006900228260001200297490000700309520217100316653001802487653001102505653001602516653001402532653001802546653001102564100002102575700002202596700002402618700002402642856009502666 2024 eng d00aDrifting along: Using diatoms to track the contribution of microbial mats to particulate organic matter transport in a glacial meltwater stream in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aDrifting along Using diatoms to track the contribution of microb c05/20240 v153 a

Flow pulses mobilize particulate organic matter (POM) in streams from the surrounding landscape and streambed. This POM serves as a source of energy and nutrients, as well as a means for organismal dispersal, to downstream communities. In the barren terrestrial landscape of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica, benthic microbial mats occupying different in-stream habitat types are the dominant POM source in the many glacier-fed streams. Many of these streams experience daily flow peaks that mobilize POM, and diatoms recovered from underlying stream sediments suggest that mat-derived diatoms in the POM are retained there through hyporheic exchange. Yet, ‘how much’ and ‘when’ different in-stream habitat types contribute to POM diatom assemblages is unknown. To quantify the contribution of different in-stream habitat types to POM diatom assemblages, we collected time-integrated POM samples over four diel experiments, which spanned a gradient of flow conditions over three summers. Diatoms from POM samples were identified, quantified, and compared with dominant habitat types (i.e., benthic ‘orange’ mats, marginal ‘black’ mats, and bare sediments). Like bulk POM, diatom cell concentrations followed a clockwise hysteresis pattern with stream discharge over the daily flow cycles, indicating supply limitation. Diatom community analyses showed that different habitat types harbor distinct diatom communities, and mixing models revealed that a substantial proportion of POM diatoms originated from bare sediments during baseflow conditions. Meanwhile, orange and black mats contribute diatoms to POM primarily during daily flow peaks when both cell concentrations and discharge are highest, making mats the most important contributors to POM diatom assemblages at high flows. These observations may help explain the presence of mat-derived diatoms in hyporheic sediments. Our results thus indicate a varying importance of different in-stream habitats to POM generation and export on daily to seasonal timescales, with implications for biogeochemical cycling and the local diatom metacommunity.

10acyanobacteria10adiatom10aflow regime10ahydrology10amicrobial mat10aNostoc1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1352666/full01995nas a2200205 4500008004100000245012000041210006900161260004800230490000900278520132200287653001501609653001101624653001801635653001201653653001501665653001301680100002401693700002401717856004801741 2021 eng d00aControls on microbial mat coverage and diatom species turnover in Antarctic desert streams: A transplant experiment0 aControls on microbial mat coverage and diatom species turnover i aBoulder, CObUniversity of Colorado Boulder0 vM.S.3 a

This thesis evaluates how polar desert streams regulate benthic microbial mat coverage, chlorophyll-a biomass, and diatom species composition. Microbial mats growing on rocks (eplithon) and on sandy substrate (epipelon) were reciprocally transplanted among four glaciers meltwater streams and monitored through time. The selected study streams were Green Creek, Bowles Creek, Delta Stream, Von Guerard Stream in the Lake Fryxell Basin in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. These streams vary in length, streamflow intermittency, and diatom community composition of microbial mats. Results demonstrate that streams strongly control mat biomass (coverage and chlorophyll-a) differently for epilithon and epipelon. However, diatom species composition did not vary between these growth habitats but instead varied by stream, suggesting adaptive niche separation related to environmental conditions. Diatom species composition of transplants in Green Creek became dissimilar from their initial stream communities suggesting downstream dispersal and within stream connectivity regulates community assembly. This experiment confirms that environmental characteristics and intra-stream dispersal processes exert strong control over maintaining microbial mat coverage, biomass accrual, and diatom species composition.

10aAntarctica10adiatom10amicrobial mat10astreams10atransplant10aturnover1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://www.proquest.com/docview/263459098202809nas a2200337 4500008004100000245012000041210006900161260001200230300001800242490000800260520168500268653002201953653002001975653004901995653001902044653001202063653004302075653001902118653002402137653002102161653003102182100002102213700002402234700002202258700002402280700002402304700002502328700002402353700002502377856006902402 2021 eng d00aDiatoms in hyporheic sediments trace organic matter retention and processing in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aDiatoms in hyporheic sediments trace organic matter retention an c02/2021 ae2020JG0060970 v1263 a

In low‐nutrient streams in cold and arid ecosystems, the spiraling of autochthonous particulate organic matter (POM) may provide important nutrient subsidies downstream. Because of its lability and the spatial heterogeneity of processing in hyporheic sediments, the downstream transport and fate of autochthonous POM can be difficult to trace. In Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valley (MDV) streams, any POM retained in the hyporheic zone is expected to be derived from surface microbial mats that contain diatoms with long‐lasting silica frustules. We tested whether diatom frustules can be used to trace the retention of autochthonous POM in the hyporheic zone and whether certain geomorphic locations promote this process. The accumulation of diatom frustules in hyporheic sediments, measured as biogenic silica, was correlated with loss‐on‐ignition organic matter and sorbed ammonium, suggesting that diatoms can be used to identify locations where POM has been retained and processed over long timescales, regardless of whether the POM remains intact. In addition, by modeling the upstream sources of hyporheic diatom assemblages, we found that POM was predominantly derived from N‐fixing microbial mats of the genus Nostoc. In terms of spatial variability, we conclude that the hyporheic sediments adjacent to the stream channel that are regularly inundated by daily flood pulses are where the most POM has been retained over long timescales. Autochthonous POM is retained in hyporheic zones of low‐nutrient streams beyond the MDVs, and we suggest that biogenic silica and diatom composition can be used to identify locations where this transfer is most prevalent.

10abenthic processes10abiogenic silica10abiogeochemical cycles processes and modeling10acarbon cycling10adiatoms10agroundwater/surface water interactions10ahyporheic zone10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10anitrogen cycling10aparticulate organic matter1 aHeindel, Ruth, C1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aSingley, Joel, G.1 aBergstrom, Anna, J.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aLukkari, Braeden, M.1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aGooseff, Michael, N. uhttps://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020JG00609701860nas a2200205 4500008004100000022001400041245015300055210006900208260001200277520112000289100002201409700002001431700002001451700002501471700001701496700002401513700002501537700002401562856006801586 2021 eng d a2378-224200aFrom the Heroic Age to today: What diatoms from Shackleton's Nimrod expedition can tell us about the ecological trajectory of Antarctic ponds0 aFrom the Heroic Age to today What diatoms from Shackletons iNimr c07/20213 a

Biological invasion and environmental change pose major threats to ecosystems. While long-term ecological change is commonly evaluated through sediment cores in lakes, it is generally not feasible for smaller ponds, and spatial resolution is limited. Here, we analyze pond diatom communities collected during Shackleton's Nimrod expedition at Cape Royds, Antarctica, to compare with the same waterbodies a century later. We find historical samples to be almost identical to modern counterparts, and provide no evidence of exotic introductions despite increasing human activity. However, a shift occurred in the pond nearest Shackleton's hut, Pony Lake, which was dominated by Luticola muticopsis a century ago, and was replaced by Craspedostauros laevissimus. Both are endemic species previously and currently present at Cape Royds, and we hypothesize that a shift in conductivity accompanying changing precipitation patterns may be responsible. Collectively, these results provide important data for assessing human and climate impacts among Antarctic lacustrine habitats.

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aKopalová, Kateřina1 aCox, Aneliya1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lol2.1020002300nas a2200289 4500008004100000245009400041210006900135260001200204490000800216520140200224653002001626653001501646653002001661653002401681653001401705653001901719100001901738700002501757700002401782700002601806700002201832700001901854700002501873700002401898700002401922856006401946 2019 eng d00aSabbea gen. nov., a new diatom genus (Bacillariophyta) from continental Antarctica0 aiSabbea gen novi a new diatom genus Bacillariophyta from contine c09/20190 v4183 a

The non-marine diatom flora of the Antarctic Continent includes several endemic taxa recorded over the past 100 years. One of these taxa, Navicula adminensis D.Roberts & McMinn, was described from the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica. Detailed light and scanning electron microscopy observations have shown that based on its morphological features, the species does not belong to the genus Navicula sensu stricto. To determine the most closely related genera to N. adminensis, the morpho- logical features of Adlafia, Kobayasiella, Envekadea, Stenoneis, Berkeleya, Climaconeis, and Parlibellus were compared with those of N. adminensis. Although each of these genera shows one or more similar features, none of them accommodates the salient morphological characteristics of N. adminensis. Therefore, a new genus, Sabbea gen. nov., is herein described, and Navicula adminensis is formally transferred to the new genus as Sabbea adminensis comb. nov. The genus Sabbea is characterized by uniseriate striae composed of small, rounded areolae occluded externally by individual hymenes, a rather simple raphe structure with straight, short proximal ends and short terminal raphe fissures, open girdle bands with double perforation and a very shallow mantle.

10aBacillariophyta10aCape Royds10aEast Antarctica10aMcMurdo Dry Valleys10anew genus10aVestfold Hills1 aBishop, Jordan1 aKopalová, Kateřina1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aSchulte, Nicholas, O.1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aMcMinn, Andrew1 aSpaulding, Sarah, A.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aVan de Vijver, Bart uhttps://www.mapress.com/j/pt/article/view/phytotaxa.418.1.202451nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011100041210006900152260001200221300001400233490000700247520180200254100002402056700002302080700002102103700002502124700002002149700002402169856006402193 2017 eng d00aThermal autecology describes the occurrence patterns of four benthic diatoms in McMurdo Dry Valley streams0 aThermal autecology describes the occurrence patterns of four ben c06/2017 a2381-23960 v403 a

Benthic microbial mats in the glacial-fed melt- water streams are hotspots of productivity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica. Benthic diatoms are common in these mats and the[45 primarily endemic taxa represent the most diverse group of eukaryotes in the MDV. In this harsh polar desert, streams are thermally dynamic with daily water temperatures varying 6–9 °C and daily maximum temperatures as high as 15 °C. Stream temperature may play a role in determining growth rates and survival strategies. To understand taxon-specific adaptations to their environment, we measured the growth rates of unialgal cultures of four diatom taxa (Psammothidium papilio, Hantzschia abundans, Hantzschia amphioxys, and Hantzschia amphioxys f. muelleri) under three temperature conditions (7.6, 10, and 15 °C) that were representative of maximum daily stream temperatures. We found that P. papilio exhibited a constant growth rate across the full temperature range; this species is most common in streams that begin to flow early in the summer and with less variable thermal regimes. Growth rates for H. abundans were greatest at 15 °C, but showed a non-linear relationship with temperature. H. amphioxys f. muelleri

grew faster than the other taxa studied and thrived at 10 °C. Hantzschia amphioxys grew only at the two lower temperatures. These results aligned with the observed relationships between each taxon’s relative abundance and stream temperatures in the long-term record maintained by the MDV Long-Term Ecological Research program. Overall, our observations suggest that differences in thermal optima may be one factor contributing to and maintaining the diversity of benthic diatom flora in the MDV.
1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aGarland, Deena, D.1 aStanish, Lee, F.1 aEsposito, Rhea, M.M.1 aSokol, Eric, R.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-017-2151-y02591nas a2200193 4500008004100000245013100041210006900172260001200241300001100253490000700264520191200271100002202183700002402205700002402229700003302253700002402286700001702310856007002327 2016 eng d00aNutrient treatments alter microbial mat colonization in two glacial meltwater streams from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aNutrient treatments alter microbial mat colonization in two glac c03/2016 afiw0490 v923 a

Microbial mats are abundant in many alpine and polar aquatic ecosystems. With warmer temperatures, new hydrologic pathways are developing in these regions and increasing dissolved nutrient fluxes. In the McMurdo Dry Valleys, thermokarsting may release both nutrients and sediment, and has the potential to influence mats in glacial meltwater streams. To test the role of nutrient inputs on community structure, we created nutrient diffusing substrata (NDS) with agar enriched in N, P and N + P, with controls, and deployed them into two Dry Valley streams. We found N amendments (N and N + P) to have greater chlorophyll-a concentrations, total algal biovolume, more fine filamentous cyanobacteria and a higher proportion of live diatoms than other treatments. Furthermore, N treatments were substantially elevated in Bacteroidetes and the small diatom, Fistulifera pelliculosa. On the other hand, species richness was almost double in P and N + P treatments over others, and coccoid green algae and Proteobacteria were more abundant in both streams. Collectively, these data suggest that nutrients have the potential to stimulate growth and alter community structure in glacial meltwater stream microbial mats, and the recent erosion of permafrost and accelerated glacial melt will likely impact resident biota in polar lotic systems here and elsewhere.

1 aKohler, Tyler, J.1 aVan Horn, David, J.1 aDarling, Joshua, P.1 aTakacs-Vesbach, Cristina, D.1 aMcKnight, Diane, M.1 aWagner, Dirk uhttp://femsec.oxfordjournals.org/lookup/doi/10.1093/femsec/fiw049