Diatom frustules with different silica contents affect copepod grazing due to differences in the nanoscale mechanical properties

The silica frustules of diatom are regarded as an important physical defense against predation. While the biogenic silica content of diatoms is a major factor controlling the ingestion rate of copepods, how it affects the three-dimensional structure and the mechanical properties of the frustules, and consequently copepod grazing, has not been studied. In this study, the diatoms Thalassiosira weissflogii and Amphora coffeaeformis were grown under different light intensities to manipulate their cellular biogenic silica contents. This manipulation generated diatom cells with distinct nano-structures and mechanical strengths. The diatoms were then fed to the copepod Paracalanus pravus to test the effect of biogenic silica contents on copepod feeding. We demonstrated that the copepods preferred the low-silica cells of T. weissflogii, but showed a preference for the high-silica cells of A. coffeaeformis. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that the chemical composition and mechanical properties of diatom frustules varied with silica contents. High silica containing T. weissflogii had higher frustule elasticity and hardness. In contrast, A. coffeaeformis containing more biogenic silica had lower frustule elasticity but silica level had little effect on the hardness of the frustule. Our results indicate that the nano-structure and chemical properties of the frustules determine the mechanical strength of the diatom frustules. This nanoscale study improves our understanding of the relationship between diatom biogenic silica content and copepod grazing in marine planktonic food webs.

Automated summary

The study found that the biogenic silica content of diatoms affects copepod feeding by influencing the mechanical properties and structure of their frustules. Copepods showed preference for low-silica diatoms in one species, but preferred high-silica diatoms in another species. The study also revealed that high silica diatoms had higher frustule elasticity and hardness, while silica content had little effect on frustule hardness in another species.