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The nutrition of radiolarians: Trophic activity of some solitary Spumellaria 1
Author(s) -
Swanberg Neil R.,
Anderson O. Roger
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1985.30.3.0646
Subject(s) - omnivore , biology , trophic level , herbivore , ecology , zoology , host (biology) , predation
Four species of radiolarians were kept in the laboratory under different feeding regimes. Spongodrymus sp. and two species of Thalassicolla showed no difference in survivorship between herbivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, or nonfed conditions as long as they were kept in the light. The longest surviving individuals of the three species lived 32, 44, and 34 d. All these species bear copious numbers of algal symbionts, suggesting a significant algal role in host nutrition. A fourth species, Physematium muelleri, survived significantly longer on an omnivorous diet and was found to feed omnivorously in nature, with a diet reflecting the locally available microplankton.