Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus budgets for the mixotrophic phytoflagellate Poterioochromonas malhamensis (Chrysophyceae) during bacterial ingestion

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.1990.35.2.0433
• Publication Date: 2010-04-10T02:32:20Z
• Authors: David A. Caron; Karen G. Porter; Robert W. Sanders
• Keywords: Mixotroph; Protist; Microbial food web; Bacterivore; Darkness; Bacterial growth

Growth, grazing, C and nutrient in corporation by the mixotrophic phytoflagellate Poterioochromonas malhamensis were examined under various light regimes presence of heat‐killed bacteria. readily ingested bacteria all culture treatments containing bacteria, growth rates protist much greater for heterotrophic (bacterivorous) than phototrophic growth. incorporation efficiencies virtually identical to P during growth, but N somewhat lower nearly treatments. Algal cultures with was similar continuous darkness light. Bacterial organic primary source cellular P. Based on our observations, we conclude that is primarily phagotrophic it highly competent this mode nutrition.