Abstract
Clusters of mitochondria have been observed close to the inner end of the pores in Nonionella stella, Globobulimina pacifica, Buliminella tenuata, Bolivina argentea, Loxostomum pseudobeyrichi, Cassidulinoides cornuta and Bolivina cf. subexcavata, pointing to a pore function of oxygen-uptake. The relationship between mitochondria and pores is most distinct in Buliminella tenuata, Bolivina argentea and L. pseudobeyrichi collected from a deep-water, low-oxygen environment. Amphistegina lobifera Larsen, 1976 readily took up 14CO2 through its pores, indicating a pore function related to the photosynthetic activities of its symbionts. 14C-labelled glucose did not pass through the pores in traceable amounts during a 2 h exposure time.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Berthold, W.-U.: Ultrastructure and function of wall perforations in Patellina corrugata Williamson, Foraminiferida. J. foraml Res. 6, 22–29 (1976)
Buchardt, B. and H.J. Hansen: Oxygen isotope fractionation and algal symbiosis in benthic Foraminifera from the Gulf of Elat, Israel. Meddr dansk. geol. Foren. 26, 185–194 (1977)
Cushman, J.A.: A monograph of the subfamily Virguliniae. Spec. Publs Cushman Lab. 9, 1–228 (1937)
Douglas, R.G., M.L. Cotton and L. Wall: Benthic Foraminifera from the Southern California Bight as environmental indicators. Rep. BLMSAI Contract B696-15, Baseline Study and Analysis of the Southern California Bight, 174 pp (1978). (Copies available from: R.G. Douglas, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007, USA)
Erez, J.: Vital effect on stable-isotope composition seen in Foraminifera and coral skeletons. Nature, Lond. 273, 199–202 (1978)
Hansen, H.J. and B. Buchardt: Depth distribution of Amphistegina in the Gulf of Elat, Israel. Utrecht micropalaeont. Bull. 15, 205–224 (1977)
Hemleben, Chr., A.W.H. Bé, O.R. Anderson and S. Tuntivate: Test morphology, organic layers and chamber formation of the planktonic foraminifer Globorotalia menardii (d'Orbigny). J. foraml Res. 7, 1–25 (1977)
Hottinger, L. and D. Dreher: Differentiation of protoplasm in Nummulitidae (Foraminifera) from Elat, Red Sea. Mar. Biol. 25, 41–61 (1974)
Leutenegger, S.: Ultrastructure de foraminifères perforés et imperforés ainsi que de leurs symbiotes. Cah. Micropaléont. 3 (CNRS, Paris) 1–52; 54 p1. (1977)
Muller, P.H.: 14Carbon fixation and loss in a foraminiferal-algal symbiont system. J. foraml Res. 8, 35–41 (1978)
Uchio, T.: Ecology of living benthonic Foraminifera from the San Diego, California, area. Spec. Publs Cushman Fdn 5, 1–72 (1960)
Zalesny, E.R.: Foraminiferal ecology of Santa Monica Bay, California. Micropaleontology 5, 101–126 (1959)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leutenegger, S., Hansen, H.J. Ultrastructural and radiotracer studies of pore function in foraminifera. Mar. Biol. 54, 11–16 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387046
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387046