Mixotrophy in marine species of <i>Chrysochromulina</i> (Prymnesiophyceae): ingestion and digestion of a small green flagellate

Abstract

Species of Chrysochromulina (Prymnesiophyceae) were screened for their ability to ingest inert material and live cells of a small green flagellate. The species C. brevifilum showed a marked preference for the small green flagellate over carmine particles and the rate of ingestion of the flagellate was proportional to its concentration and inversely proportional to light intensity. Ingestion was also higher by phosphate-starved Chrysochromulina , and a clear predator/prey relationship was demonstrated with C. brevifilum clearly benefiting, in terms of growth rate, from the ingestion of the small green flagellate. Electron micrographs confirmed that digestion occurs.