POSTER Session 2

LINK BETWEEN PEAK INTENSITY OF MECHANICALLY STIMULATED BIOLUMINESCENCE AND CELL SURFACE AREA IN DINOFLAGELLATES

Mechanically stimulated bioluminescence (MSL) is present in most planktonic clades and marine ecosystems. The first flash kinetic parameters (FFKPs) and spectral properties are often species specific, making MSL a powerful tool for in situ ID and biodiversity assessments. The peak intensity (PI) of mechanically stimulated bioluminescence was studied for five species of dinoflagellates: Alexandrium monilatum, Lingulodinium polyedra, Pyrocystis fusiformis, Pyrocystis noctiluca and Pyrodinium bahamense. The peak intensity was related to organism cell surface area to characterize the relation between cell size and light emission, building upon Seliger’s rule linking cell surface area and Total Mechanically Stimulable Light (TMSL). These dinoflagellate species were chosen to showcase a wide range of peak intensities and surface area. Organisms were cultured in the lab on a semi-continuous schedule and kept in log-growth phase. Individual cells were isolated and individually photographed under a compound microscope, where cell size was measured. They were then dark-adapted and mechanically stimulated in the Underwater Bioluminescence Assessment Tool (UBAT), where their first flash emission was measured at 60 Hz. Distributions of PI and surface area across all species were compared using non-parametric ANOVAs and a linear regression model, uncovering a strong positive correlation across all species. This study provides insight on understanding and potentially predicting the bioluminescence of organisms often responsible for significant primary and secondary productivity in marine waters with subsequent global impacts on fisheries and ecology. Inversely, bioluminescence measurements may be a powerful tool for understanding plankton composition and ecology.

Francis Letendre, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, USA, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8687-1899

Michael Twardowski, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, USA

Abigail Blackburn, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, USA

Sidney Sicignano, Fox Lane High School, USA

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