Ecological roles of Xenophyophorean foraminifera in the deep-sea biological communities and early evolution of foraminifera

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The purpose of this study is to clarify ecological roles of xenophyophorean foraminifera in the deep-sea biological communities and early evolution of foraminifera, we carried out molecular phylogenetic analyses, ultrastructural observations and stable isotope analyses. The result of molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal RNA indicates that Shinkaiya lindsayi, xenophyophore, indicates sister clade with other xenophyophore, Syringammina corbicula, shows monophyly relationships. We carried out in situ incubation experiments for two days at east off Torishima Is. at a depth of 5, 371 m. Xenophyophore rapidly fed both dissolved and particulate organic materials. Although limited food materials reached to the deep-sea floor in the oligotrophic region, xenophyophore have a potential for rapid growth, they indicate rapid uptake of food materials.