Mixotrophic plankton foraging behaviour linked to carbon export
Natalie R. Cohen
Abstract
Marine mixotrophic protists that use both heterotrophic and phototrophic metabolisms may impact the carbon cycle in unexpected ways. A recently characterized mixotroph can craft three-dimensional mucilage feeding structures that trap nutrient-rich plankton prey and contribute to the sinking of carbon from the surface ocean.
Topics & Concepts
MixotrophPlanktonHeterotrophForagingAutotrophPhototrophCarbon cycleMucilageEcologyEnvironmental scienceOceanographyNutrientPredationProtistZooplanktonCarbon fibersBiologyPhotosynthesisBotanyBacteriaEcosystemGeologyPaleontologyGeneBiochemistryMaterials scienceComposite numberComposite materialMarine and coastal ecosystemsMicrobial Community Ecology and PhysiologyProtist diversity and phylogeny