Marty's diatom
Martyana martyi
Martyana martyi is a benthic diatom primarily found on the sediment surfaces of standing and slow-flowing inland waters. It belongs to the family Fragilariaceae and is characterized by a siliceous cell wall (frustule). The species is an important primary producer in aquatic ecosystems and serves as an indicator for water quality.
Details
Oxygen production
Produces oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis in the benthic zone.
Habitat function
Stabilization of biofilms on sediments.
Nutrient uptake
Uptake of dissolved silicate for frustule construction as well as nitrogen and phosphorus.
Food source for
Snails, mayfly larvae, and other benthic grazers.
Human use
Used in paleolimnology to reconstruct past environmental conditions.
Ecology
Ecological role
Primary producer in the benthos; base of the food web for benthic invertebrates.
Natural predators
Protozoa, small crustaceans, and benthic insect larvae (grazers).
Competitor species
Other benthic diatoms such as Fragilaria or Navicula species.
Ecosystem service
Oxygen production through photosynthesis and carbon sequestration.
Threats
Water pollution, excessive eutrophication, and herbicide input.
Scientific profile
Protection & threats
Main threats
Excessive eutrophication (hypertrophication), chemical pollution (herbicides), and physical disturbance of the sediment (e.g., due to shoreline stabilization or heavy motorboat use).