Dewi Langlet, OIST
Evolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit
Husnik Unit
Benthic foraminifera play an important role in mudflats benthic ecosystem functioning, yet the diversity of these unicellular eukaryotes in subtropical intertidal mudflats have been largely overlooked. In this preliminary study, we sampled seven intertidal environments in the central Okinawa island including mudflats, sandflats, salt marshes and mangroves. Our results show important species composition changes with the contrasted environmental conditions. This screening of foraminiferal faunas colonizing subtropical intertidal mudflats data will be useful for three projects we plan to conduct in the coming years: 1) study the diversity of symbionts in intertidal foraminifera 2) identify the functions of the foraminiferal symbionts 3) understand the role of foraminifera in mangrove ecosystem functioning
Dewi Langlet, Filip Husnik
Evolution, Cell Biology, and Symbiosis Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University