Functional morphology of micro- and nanostructures in two distinct diatom frustules

Diatom frustule complexity and structural diversity is unequalled by any other microorganism encased in a mineralised shell. Descriptive knowledge does exist on frustule morphology and ultrastructure, but the evolutionary origins of this complex natural architecture and its contribution to diatom fitness are far from being elucidated. The functional significance of linkage systems in the frustules of Ellerbeckia arenaria and Cocconeis scutellum, one centric and one pennate diatom respectively, is described here.