Morpho-Functional Traits Reveal Differences in Size Fractionated Phytoplankton Communities but Do Not Significantly Affect Zooplankton Grazing.

ABSTRACT: The recent emergence of approaches based on functional traits allows a more comprehensive evaluation of the role of functions and interactions within communities. As phytoplankton size and shape are the major determinants of its edibility to herbivores, alteration or loss of some morpho-functional phytoplankton traits should affect zooplankton grazing, fitness and population dynamics. Here, we investigated the response of altered phytoplankton morpho-functional trait distribution to grazing by zooplankton with contrasting food size preferences and feeding behaviors. To test this, we performed feeding trials in laboratory microcosms with size-fractionated freshwater phytoplankton (3 size classes, >30 µm; 5-30 µm and <5 µm) and two different consumer types: the cladoceran Daphnia longispi

SUBMITTER: Titocci J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8779030 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature