 |
Strom SL, Wolfe GV, Bright KJ
Responses of marine planktonic protists to amino acids: feeding inhibition and swimming behavior in the ciliate Favella sp.
Feeding by the tintinnid Favella sp., a common coastal planktonic ciliate, was inhibited by dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) in laboratory experiments. The most inhibitory compounds (valine, cysteine, proline, alanine, and serine) were those with small side chains; these reduced feeding to <20% of the control rate at 20 µM added concentration. Inhibition was dose-dependent, with a threshold below DFAA concentration maxima in natural waters. Our work suggests that chemical signaling, which affects predator–prey interactions among crustacean zooplankton and fishes, may also play a role in structuring the microbial realm at the base of the ocean’s food web.
Inter-Research Science Center is pleased to make this Feature Article openly available for viewing by our readers.
