Trophic interactions among heterotrophic microplankton, nanoplankton, and bacteria in Lake Constance
Weisse, T.
Hydrobiologia 19(1): 111-122
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0018-8158 DOI: 10.1007/bf00026045
Accession: 022033390
A considerable portion of the pelagic energy flow in Lake Constance (FRG) is channelled through a highly dynamic microbial food web. In-situ experiments using the lake water dilution technique according to Landry & Hasset (1982) revealed that grazing by heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) smaller than 10 µm is the major loss factor of bacterial production. An average flagellate ingests 10 to 100 bacteria per hour. Nano- and micro-ciliates have been identified as the main predators of HNF. If no other food is used between 3 and 40 HNF are consumed per ciliate and hour. Other protozoans and small metazoans such as rotifers are of minor importance in controlling HNF population dynamics.