Article Abstract:
An investigation was conducted to determine the size-selective nature of bacterial grazing by protozoan flagellates on natural populations of bacterioplankton. Size-selectivity was determined by measuring the cell sizes of bacterioplankton within the food vacuoles of these flagellates. Comparisons between the cell sizes of the natural bacterioplanktonand the ingested cells showed that flagellates selectively fed on larger bacterial cells. Therefore, protozoan grazing is an important factor in determining the cell sizes of natural populations of bacterioplankton in both marine and freshwater systems.
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Article Abstract:
Nanoflagellates found at the Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod, MA, were examined to determined whether they can consume unattached bacteria in the plume. The study also sought to generate estimates of their size selectivities and rates of protistan grazing. The findings indicate that the aquifer nanoflagellates' daily consumption of unattached bacteria can amount to between 12% to 74% of the bacterial community. They therefore have great potential in contributing to bacterial degradation of organic groundwater contaminants.
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Article Abstract:
The effect of spatial constraints on the mobility of six species of marine protozoa was investigated. The empirical results and qualitative observations help define the physical limitations on protozoan grazing, a critical process affecting microbes in the environment.
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