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The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...
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Microbial predation refers to the process by which one microorganism kills and consumes another to obtain nutrients and energy. It encompasses both bacterial and protozoan predators. This interaction plays a crucial role in shaping microbial communities and regulating nutrient cycling.Bacterial Predators: Epibiotic vs. EndobioticBacterial predators are classified based on their mode of attack as either epibiotic or endobiotic. Epibiotic predators, such as Vampirococcus, attach to the surface of...
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Marine microbial ecosystems are shaped by distinct physicochemical limits, including high salinity, low nutrient availability, and fluctuating oxygen levels. These conditions favor smaller microbial cell sizes, which maximize their surface-to-volume ratio for efficient nutrient uptake.Microbial activity and community composition are closely linked to biogeochemical cycles, particularly in dynamic environments like estuaries, where halotolerant microbes thrive in response to variable salinity...
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Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...
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Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
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High-Throughput Metabolic Profiling for Model Refinements of Microalgae
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Marine microalgae attack and feed on metazoans.

Terje Berge1, Louise K Poulsen, Morten Moldrup

  • 1Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, Denmark. tberge@bio.ku.dk

The ISME Journal
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The dinoflagellate Karlodinium armiger actively preys on marine copepods, causing paralysis and death at high densities. This predatory behavior switches its ecological role, promoting bloom persistence and impacting marine food webs.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Ecology
  • Harmful Algal Blooms
  • Microbial Predation

Background:

  • Dinoflagellates in the genus Karlodinium form blooms in coastal waters, linked to fish kills.
  • Bloom populations include toxic, mixotrophic species like Karlodinium armiger and Karlodinium veneficum.
  • These species have caused finfish and copepod mortality and reduced zooplankton biomass.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the predatory interactions between Karlodinium species and marine copepods.
  • Determine the density-dependent effects of Karlodinium armiger on Acartia tonsa.
  • Understand the ecological implications of mixotrophic dinoflagellate predation on marine food webs.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory experiments using a specific strain of Karlodinium armiger (K-0688) and the copepod Acartia tonsa.
  • Controlled density trials to observe copepod immobilization, feeding, and survival rates.
  • Testing interactions with multiple metazoan prey organisms.

Main Results:

  • Karlodinium armiger immobilized and ingested Acartia tonsa in a density-dependent manner.
  • Copepod mortality occurred at K. armiger densities above 3500 cells/mL, with rapid immobilization within 15 minutes.
  • Four strains of Karlodinium veneficum did not exhibit predatory behavior towards copepods.
  • K. armiger demonstrated predation on three other metazoan organisms.

Conclusions:

  • Karlodinium armiger switches from prey to predator at high densities, promoting bloom persistence.
  • Active predation by K. armiger contributes to mortality across multiple trophic levels.
  • This predatory behavior has significant implications for marine food web dynamics and harmful algal bloom impacts.