Effect of temperature on size and shape of silica scales in Synura petersenii and Mallomonas tonsurata (Stramenopiles)
2011
Abstract
Geometric morphometric methods were used to investigate the shape and size of silica scales in relation to temperature. Two species, Mallomonas tonsurata and Synura petersenii, were selected for the experiments.
We found out that both cells and silica scales responded to the cultivation temperature according to the temperature-size rule. Moreover, we showed that the shape of the scales was significantly affected by temperature even if the allometric effect was separated.
Furthermore, the highest level of morphological disparity was observed in the highest temperature tested (25 oC) suggesting the effect of stress.