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The Protozoan‐Metazoan Trophic Link In Pelagic Ecosystems
Author(s) -
GIFFORD DIAN J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1991.tb04806.x
Subject(s) - trophic level , pelagic zone , copepod , plankton , biology , ciliate , ecology , ecosystem , food web , predation , zooplankton , marine ecosystem , food chain , crustacean
The evidence for a qualitatively and quantitatively important trophic link between planktonic Protozoa and higher order metazoan consumers is reviewed. the available data are obtained primarily, but not exclusively, from laboratory studies of calanoid copepod consumers and tintinnid ciliate prey from marine estuarine and nearshore environments. the data indicates that the protozoan‐metazoan link is of similar magnitude and importance in the pelagic ecosystems of freshwaters. It is proposed that planktonic Protozoa constitute a high quality, nitrogen‐rich food in the diets of their metazoan consumers. Implications of die trophic link to the consumers, prey, and ecosystem are discussed.