We I4C-labeled cellulolytic bacteria and 3 species of bacterivorous nanoflagellates and fed these cultured organisms to 2 species of intertidal mussels, Geukensia demissa and Mytllus edulis. using a pulse-chase experimental design under controlled laboratory conditions. Ingestion and assimilation of C from these rmcroheterotrophs by mussels were calculated from measured rates of defecation, respiration, excretion, and tlssue incorporation. The proportion of available C ingested by G. demissa did not dlffer significantly among bacteria (39%), heterotrophic flagellates (58%), or the unicellular algae Isochrysis galbana (66%), which was used as a reference diet. In contrast, M. edulis ingested a signlflcantly lower proportion (19%) of the small bacterla ( < l pm in diameter) than the larger ( 3 to 5 pm diameter) heterotrophic flagellates (58%). The efficiency with which G. dernissa assimilated C from I. galbana (77 %) was significantly greater than that from either bacteria (42 %) or heterotrophic flagellates (44%) M edulis assimilated bacterial C with significantly lower efficiency (21 96) than C from heterotrophic flagellates (62%) These results indicate that heterotrophic flagellates can contribute to the C requirements of both G. dernlssa and M edulis, however, only G. demissa is capable of assimilating a considerable amount of C from bactena.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.