Heterotrophic feeding by gorgonian corals with symbiotic zooxanthella

Article Abstract:

Predation by the gorgonian coral Plexaura flexuosa, a very common species in Caribbean coral reef communities, could have a significant effect on plankton populations. P. flexuosa capture an average of 7.2 +/- 1.9 microorganisms polyp(-1) d(-1), primarily ciliates, diatoms, and dinoflagellates, generally those larger than 5 micrometers. Only about 0.4% of P. flexuosa's respiratory needs are satisfied by preying on microbes and zooplankton, but about 17% of the annual nitrogen requirement for growth and reproduction is provided.

Food and nutrition, Symbiosis, Coral reef ecology, Coral reef ecosystems, Corals

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The ecology of Paraphysomonas imperforata based on studies employing oligonucleotide probe identification in coastal water samples and enrichment cultures

Article Abstract:

The heterotrophic nanoflagellate Paraphysomonas imperforata appears to be an opportunistic species that can quickly attain high abundance when prey concentrations are favorable. Abundance of P. imperforata was very low in several coastal water samples and remained low over a 17-month period at one site. In enrichment cultures prepared from the same samples, however, P. imperforata was frequently the dominant species, making up as much as 98% of all nanoplankton. Species-specific oligonucleotide hybridization probes were used.

Nucleic acid probes, Coastal ecology

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