[B-CG05] Frontier in diversity and ecology of protists and microfossils

[BCG05-P01] Enhancing Our Understanding of Protozoa through Laboratory Observations: Insights from Calcareous Foraminifera Experiments

*Takashi Toyofuku^1,2, Yukiko Nagai¹, Jun Kawano³, Michio Suzuki⁴ (1.Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2.Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 3.Hokkaido University, 4.The University of Tokyo)

Keywords:Foraminifera, Protist, Visualization

To understand the causal relationships of proxies reflecting the environmental conditions of calcareous foraminifera, various laboratory observations have been conducted through cultivation experiments aimed at comprehending the biomineralization process of calcareous foraminifera. Observations using ion-specific and pH-dependent fluorescent probes are among these methods. We propose to apply these techniques, used in the calcification of foraminifera, to understand the physiology and other aspects of protozoa. Visualizing the localization of ions within cells is essential for understanding cellular functions, and hence, could be valuable in understanding the ecology of protozoa. Furthermore, pH governs the emission of various substances and can alter chromogenic and fluorescent characteristics, offering a wide range of pH indicator options. Utilizing these tools, we have deepened our understanding of the biomineralization in calcifying organisms such as foraminifera and Akoya pearls, and visualized the dissolution patterns of inorganic carbonates. In protozoa, with the advancement of molecular biological techniques such as the latest omics analysis, molecular mechanisms are being unraveled. Combining these with environmental visualization methods opens up the potential for deeper insights into detailed biology.