Original paper

Phytoplankton-zooplankton feedback effects on the food-chain

Wynne, D.; Gophen, M.

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Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 106 Number 2 (1986), p. 145 - 154

23 references

published: Mar 24, 1986

DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/106/1986/145

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Abstract

The ability of zooplankton to effect phytoplankton growth was studied directly by incubating cultures of Chlorella sp. in the presence of the cyclopoid Mesocyclops leuckarti. The zooplankter was able to stimulate algal growth, even in nutrient sufficient medium as measured by both chlorophyll content and cell numbers. Factor (s) responsible for growth stimulation of the algae were shown to be of relatively low molecular weight since they passed through dialysis tubing. The effect of M. leuckarti was more marked on phosphorus or nitrogen limited Chlorella. The importance of zooplankton to algal nutrition is discussed.

Keywords

phytoplankton • zooplankton • algal growth • chlorophyll