Thalassiosira bramaputrae
(Grunow) Hasle in Hasle and Fryxell, 1977
Common Name:
A centric diatom
Synonyms and Other Names:
Coscinodiscus lacustris, Thalassiosira bramaputrae
Identification:
This often highly silicified diatom exhibits tangentially undulate valves and usually contains a few disc-shaped chromatophores. There is one labiate process. Polygonal areolae may occur in the central region and towards the edges of the valve face in irregular rows, with siliceous raised costae between them in the central area. There is typically a ring of more or less regularly spaced processes around the margins of the valve face. Processes typically exhibit dentate external protrusions. The number of central fultoportulae may decrease with decreasing valve diameter (Hasle and Lange 1989, John 1983, Kiss et al. 2002, Smucker et al. 2006). The diameter of T. lacustris varies from around 10–75 µm (Hasle and Lange 1989, John 1983, Kiss et al. 2002). In streams in southeastern Ohio, diameter only reaches up to around 34 µm (Smucker et al. 2006).
Size:
Diameter <75 microns
Native Range:
Unclear. Thalassiosira lacustris is widespread. It has been recorded from the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans on coasts of Europe, North America, and Japan; in inland rivers, lakes, and canals in parts of Europe and North America; in the Baltic Sea; in the Caspian Sea; and in Australian waters (Hasle 1978, John 1983, Joosten 1997, Mills et al. 1993).
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This map only depicts Great Lakes introductions.
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Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
Thalassiosira lacustris was recorded for the first time in the 1970s in Lake Erie (Millie and Lowe 1981, Mills et al. 1993).
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Thalassiosira bramaputrae are found here.
Table last updated 5/1/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
Thalassiosira lacustris occurs around the world in waters of varying salinity, including fresh, brackish, and marine habitats. It is most typically found in marine coastal regions, estuaries, and rivers (Hasle and Lange 1989, John 1983). It is able to survive at salinities as low as 0.5‰ but only grows rapidly above 8‰. This is likely a limiting factor on the distribution of T. lacustris in the Great Lakes (Hasle 1978). In one case, researchers recorded it as an epilithic species in riffle habitats of shallow streams near the Ohio River in Ohio (Smucker et al. 2006). Thalassiosira lacustris produces one egg per oogonium. It produces auxospores and spermatogenesis is merogenous (Chepurnov et al. 2006).
Means of Introduction:
Thalassiosira lacustris was very likely introduced to the Great Lakes basin in ballast water (Mills et al. 1993).
Status:
Established where recorded.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
There is little or no evidence to support that Thalassiosira lacustris has significant environmental impacts in the Great Lakes.
Potential:
There have been reports of blooms of T. lacustris in Tokyo Bay, but these high densities have never been recorded in the Great Lakes basin (Hasle 1978).
There is little or no evidence to support that Thalassiosira lacustris has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.
There is little or no evidence to support that Thalassiosira lacustris has significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes region)
There are no known regulations for this species.
Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
There are no known biological control methods for this species.
Physical
There are no known physical control methods for this species.
Chemical
The ability of T. lacustris to reproduce and grow is highly dependent upon salinity. The reduction of pollution and run-off could decrease the viable habitat for this nonindigenous species.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
Thalassiosira lacustris is accepted in WoRMS (where Coscinodiscus lacustris is a different accepted species), but in AlgaeBase, the accepted name is Coscinodiscus lacustris and in ITIS, it is Thalassiosira bramaputrae. The latter is not accurate according to Kiss 2002. Thalassiosira lacustris is synonymous with Coscinodiscus lacustris and is often confused with T. bramaputrae (Hasle and Lange 1989).
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Kipp, R.M., M. McCarthy, and A. Fusaro
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
9/12/2019
Citation for this information:
Kipp, R.M., M. McCarthy, and A. Fusaro, 2024, Thalassiosira bramaputrae (Grunow) Hasle in Hasle and Fryxell, 1977: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=1691&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 9/12/2019, Access Date: 5/1/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.