Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variability

Abstract Recent studies highlight asymmetrical range shifts within plankton due to spatial variability in climate change, impacting marine ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycling. The Pliocene—early Pleistocene interval, characterized by significant climatic fluctuations, provides a framewo...

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Main Authors: Ekaterina Larina, Adam Woodhouse, Anshuman Swain, Christopher M. Lowery, Rowan C. Martindale, Corinne E. Myers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60362-8
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author Ekaterina Larina
Adam Woodhouse
Anshuman Swain
Christopher M. Lowery
Rowan C. Martindale
Corinne E. Myers
author_facet Ekaterina Larina
Adam Woodhouse
Anshuman Swain
Christopher M. Lowery
Rowan C. Martindale
Corinne E. Myers
author_sort Ekaterina Larina
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Recent studies highlight asymmetrical range shifts within plankton due to spatial variability in climate change, impacting marine ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycling. The Pliocene—early Pleistocene interval, characterized by significant climatic fluctuations, provides a framework to study regional responses of marine organisms, such as planktic foraminifera. Using bipartite network analysis of the Triton database, we investigate biogeographic shifts in macroperforate planktic foraminifera ecogroups, tracking taxonomic diversity and distribution. Here we show high turnover between symbiont-bearing warm-water and high-latitude dwellers, isolated to the North Atlantic, and an expansion of cold-water subthermocline taxa across basins, particularly in the South Pacific. Enhanced water column stratification and nutrient export to mesopelagic depths, associated with the intensification of the Northern Hemisphere Glaciation, likely drove shifts in species diversity and ecogroup latitudinal gradients toward modern patterns. This localized community restructuring emphasizes the importance of regional to hemispheric heterogeneity in understanding biodiversity responses to future climate change.
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spelling doaj-art-ba050168fd38437eac97ee1a0de7b5492025-08-20T02:00:14ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-60362-8Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variabilityEkaterina Larina0Adam Woodhouse1Anshuman Swain2Christopher M. Lowery3Rowan C. Martindale4Corinne E. Myers5Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at AustinDepartment of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of MichiganUniversity of Texas Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at AustinDepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at AustinDepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New MexicoAbstract Recent studies highlight asymmetrical range shifts within plankton due to spatial variability in climate change, impacting marine ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical cycling. The Pliocene—early Pleistocene interval, characterized by significant climatic fluctuations, provides a framework to study regional responses of marine organisms, such as planktic foraminifera. Using bipartite network analysis of the Triton database, we investigate biogeographic shifts in macroperforate planktic foraminifera ecogroups, tracking taxonomic diversity and distribution. Here we show high turnover between symbiont-bearing warm-water and high-latitude dwellers, isolated to the North Atlantic, and an expansion of cold-water subthermocline taxa across basins, particularly in the South Pacific. Enhanced water column stratification and nutrient export to mesopelagic depths, associated with the intensification of the Northern Hemisphere Glaciation, likely drove shifts in species diversity and ecogroup latitudinal gradients toward modern patterns. This localized community restructuring emphasizes the importance of regional to hemispheric heterogeneity in understanding biodiversity responses to future climate change.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60362-8
spellingShingle Ekaterina Larina
Adam Woodhouse
Anshuman Swain
Christopher M. Lowery
Rowan C. Martindale
Corinne E. Myers
Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variability
Nature Communications
title Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variability
title_full Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variability
title_fullStr Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variability
title_full_unstemmed Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variability
title_short Regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through Pliocene-early Pleistocene climate variability
title_sort regional restructuring in planktic foraminifera communities through pliocene early pleistocene climate variability
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60362-8
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