The ecology and feeding behaviour of heterotrophic microflagellates

TL;DRAbstract

This thesis investigates the ecology and feeding behaviour o f heterotrophic microflagellates. These organisms are considered t o be a major link in the 'microbial loop', which cycles the nutrients and energy o f dissolved organic matter to the conventional phytoplankton-herbivore-fish food chain in aquatic ecosystems. Microflagellates in the water column o f Howe Sound, British Columbia were studied over eighteen months to investigate factors important in determining their distribution and abundance. These vary with season. In spring, abundance is linked to the distribution and availability o f their prey. While prey are available in summer, microflagellate populations are depressed, possibly due to rapid grazing by predators. In winter microflagellates seem limited by temperature. In spring, microflagellates graze mainly free bacteria in the photic zone and aggregated bacteria in the aphotic zone. Some autofluorescent microflagellates in the photic zone in summer appear to function h

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