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From algal competition to animal production: Enhanced ecological efficiency of Brachionus plicatilis with a mixed diet
Author(s) -
Sommer Ulrich
Publication year - 1998
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.1998.43.6.1393
Subject(s) - brachionus , phytoplankton , biology , zooplankton , rotifer , dominance (genetics) , algae , diatom , ecology , brachionus calyciflorus , nutrient , competition (biology) , biochemistry , gene
The food ‐chain transmission of mineral nutrient effects to zooplankton production via phytoplankton competition was studied by two ‐stage experiments with a mixed phytoplankton assemblage from the Indian Ocean and the rotifer species Brachionus plicatilis . Phytoplankton species composition was steered by nutrient competition in the first stage of the cultures. High atomic Si:N ratios (>1:1) in the medium resulted in diatom dominance, and low ones resulted in flagellate dominance. Medium Si:N ratios (0.3–0.6:1) resulted in even mixtures of both types of algae. The phytoplankton assemblage resulting from competition was used as food for Brachionus . An even mixture between diatoms and flagellates in the food resulted in higher Brachionus production than one sided food mixtures.