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<p>Despite the ecological importance of epibiont–basibiont interactions, studies focusing on epizoic diatoms in freshwater systems remain extremely limited. Here, we investigated diatom communities associated with a species of freshwater bivalves of the genus <i>Corbicula</i>. Our objectives were (1) to compare the communities of diatoms growing on different substrate types; and (2) to identify which basibiont characteristics mostly influence the structure and composition of these assemblages. To this end, we deployed 30 tiles in an artificial channel for 40&#xa0;days, each hosting 18 <i>dead-anchored</i>, 18 <i>living-anchored</i>, and 18 <i>artificial</i> concrete <i>Corbicula</i> specimens. Additionally, <i>free-living Corbicula</i> were included to assess the effect of mobility on diatom colonisation. Results showed that species richness was lower on living-anchored individuals. The dominant species on all substrates were <i>Achnanthidium minutissimum</i> and <i>Planothidium lanceolatum</i>, whereas <i>Luticola hlubikovae</i> was mainly associated with dead specimens. From a functional point of view, motile and low-profile diatom guilds predominated across all samples, whereas high-profile and planktic forms were nearly absent. Our findings highlight that substrate type, the morphological features and behavioural traits of basibionts interact synergistically to shape epizoic diatom communities, broadening our knowledge on the freshwater epibiosis and suggesting new directions and perspectives for future research on the diatom–host relationships.</p>

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The hidden world of diatoms on Asian clams: a field manipulative experiment on epizoic colonisation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月21日

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  • Gianluca Vacca,
  • Elisa Falasco,
  • Francesca Bona

摘要

Despite the ecological importance of epibiont–basibiont interactions, studies focusing on epizoic diatoms in freshwater systems remain extremely limited. Here, we investigated diatom communities associated with a species of freshwater bivalves of the genus Corbicula. Our objectives were (1) to compare the communities of diatoms growing on different substrate types; and (2) to identify which basibiont characteristics mostly influence the structure and composition of these assemblages. To this end, we deployed 30 tiles in an artificial channel for 40 days, each hosting 18 dead-anchored, 18 living-anchored, and 18 artificial concrete Corbicula specimens. Additionally, free-living Corbicula were included to assess the effect of mobility on diatom colonisation. Results showed that species richness was lower on living-anchored individuals. The dominant species on all substrates were Achnanthidium minutissimum and Planothidium lanceolatum, whereas Luticola hlubikovae was mainly associated with dead specimens. From a functional point of view, motile and low-profile diatom guilds predominated across all samples, whereas high-profile and planktic forms were nearly absent. Our findings highlight that substrate type, the morphological features and behavioural traits of basibionts interact synergistically to shape epizoic diatom communities, broadening our knowledge on the freshwater epibiosis and suggesting new directions and perspectives for future research on the diatom–host relationships.