Jewels of the sea
Hemiaulus hauckii
It is a microscopic diatom which cells have glass-like walls made of silica and often join together in short spiral chains. It drifts in the sunlit surface waters of the ocean, where it grows using energy from sunlight.
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About this species
Species identity
It is a microscopic diatom which cells have glass-like walls made of silica and often join together in short spiral chains. It drifts in the sunlit surface waters of the ocean, where it grows using energy from sunlight.
Where it lives
It is found in warm and tropical oceans around the world. It lives in the sunlit surface waters of both coastal and open-ocean environments. This species is especially common in nutrient-poor regions where it can form important parts of the phytoplankton community.
Role in the ecosystem
Hemiaulus hauckii makes its own food using sunlight and forms part of the base of the ocean food web. It is eaten by tiny drifting animals, helping move energy to larger organisms in the ecosystem. This species often lives in partnership with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which can help support productivity in nutrient-poor parts of the ocean.
Scientific reference
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Ocean Literacy Connections
This resource can be explored through Ocean biodiversity, Ocean makes life possible and One ocean, many features.
- How do ocean habitats support so many forms of life and interaction?
- How does the ocean help make Earth habitable?
- How do different ocean places belong to one connected system?
Explore and connect
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FAQ
What makes Hemiaulus hauckii unusual among phytoplankton?
It often lives in partnership with tiny bacteria that can take nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it available for growth, helping both organisms survive in nutrient-poor areas.
Can Hemiaulus hauckii form blooms?
Yes, when conditions are favorable, large numbers of cells can grow together and form phytoplankton blooms that are visible over large areas of the ocean.