Development and validation of a molecular technique for the analysis of archived formalin-preserved phytoplankton samples permits retrospective assessment of Emiliania huxleyi communities.
The coccolithophores, particularly the species Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) Hay & Mohler, account for the bulk of global calcium carbonate production and as such play a fundamental role in global CO2 cycling and the carbonate chemistry of the oceans. To evaluate the response of this functional group to the effects of climate change, we undertook a feasibility study to determine whether a retrospective approach could be used on archived coccolithophore datasets. We demonstrate for the first time a technique for the extraction of E. huxleyi nucleic acids from archived formalin-fixed samples of the long-term Continuous Plankton Recorder. Molecular analysis of a nine year old formalin-fixed sample reveals the presence of a diverse population of E. huxleyi genotypes within a developing coccolithophore bloom. In addition, E. huxleyi sequences were amplified from a number of formalin-fixed samples, the earliest of which was collected in August 1972. This molecular assay promises the possibility of studying global variations in the distribution and genetic make-up of E. huxleyi communities over extensive periods of time.
Ripley
Steven J
SJ
University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK.
Baker
Andrea C
AC
Miller
Peter I
PI
Walne
Anthony W
AW
Schroeder
Declan C
DC
D001483:Base Sequence; D048028:DNA, Algal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005404:Fixatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D048028:DNA, Algal; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde