Link between light-triggered Mg-banding and chamber formation in the planktic foraminifera Neogloboquadrina dutertrei

Jennifer S. Fehrenbacher (), Ann D. Russell, Catherine V. Davis, Alexander C. Gagnon, Howard J. Spero, John B. Cliff, Zihua Zhu and Pamela Martin
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Jennifer S. Fehrenbacher: College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University
Ann D. Russell: University of California
Catherine V. Davis: University of California
Alexander C. Gagnon: School of Oceanography, University of Washington
Howard J. Spero: University of California
John B. Cliff: Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Zihua Zhu: Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Pamela Martin: 3726 Totem Ln

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The relationship between seawater temperature and the average Mg/Ca ratios in planktic foraminifera is well established, providing an essential tool for reconstructing past ocean temperatures. However, many species display alternating high and low Mg-bands within their shell walls that cannot be explained by temperature alone. Recent experiments demonstrate that intrashell Mg variability in Orbulina universa, which forms a spherical terminal shell, is paced by the diurnal light/dark cycle. Whether Mg-heterogeneity is also diurnally paced in species with more complex shell morphologies is unknown. Here we show that high Mg/Ca-calcite forms at night in cultured specimens of the multi-chambered species Neogloboquadrina dutertrei. Our results demonstrate that N. dutertrei adds a significant amount of calcite, and nearly all Mg-bands, after the final chamber forms. These results have implications for interpreting patterns of calcification in N. dutertrei and suggest that diurnal Mg-banding is an intrinsic component of biomineralization in planktic foraminifera.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15441

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