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Carbon utilization by the omnivorous flagellate Paraphysomonas imperforata
Author(s) -
Caron David A.,
Goldman Joel C.,
Dennett Mark R.
Publication year - 1990
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.1990.35.1.0192
Subject(s) - flagellate , algae , nutrient , respiration , phosphorus , biology , omnivore , carbon fibers , nitrogen , heterotroph , total inorganic carbon , botany , ecology , environmental chemistry , carbon dioxide , predation , chemistry , bacteria , materials science , organic chemistry , composite material , composite number , genetics
Carbon utilization by the omnivorous microflagellate Paraphysomonas imperforata was examined when this protozoan was fed either of two species of algae grown to three degrees of nitrogen limitation and three degrees of phosphorus limitation. Carbon incorporation (retention in the particulate fraction) by the microflagellate differed slightly for the two prey species but was a constant percentage of the total carbon budget of the protozoan for each prey alga (i.e. the degree of nitrogen or phosphorus deficiency of the algae did not affect carbon incorporation by the protozoan). The patterns of respiration in the six grazed cultures of each alga were also similar. Carbon incorporation and other nutrient utilization by this protozoan apparently were uncoupled to achieve this result. Firm conclusions are equivocal due to the possible dark uptake of nutrients by the algae. Our results are consistent, however, with a mathematical model in which the nutrient excretion rate is predicted from the respiration rate and gross growth efficiency of the protozoan and the C : N : P ratios of the protozoan and its prey.