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Interactions between pelagic metazoan and protozoan zooplankton, an experimental study

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Abstract

The population of the holotrich ciliate Vasicola lutea was studied for two seasons. An experimental reduction of competitors and predators within the metazoan part of the zooplankton resulted in an increase of the Vasicola population and an expansion of its range. The density of the population decreased and Vasicola retired to its original habitat after the recovery of the populations of predators and competitors. The results imply that competition and predation from metazoans may be important factors for the regulation of population size of protozoans in the zooplankton community. Competition and predation may, furthermore, be important selective forces in the evolution of mechanisms for partitioning resources and habitats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Göteborg, S-400 31, Box 25059, Göteborg, Sweden

    Jan A. E. Stenson

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  1. Jan A. E. Stenson
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Stenson, J.A.E. Interactions between pelagic metazoan and protozoan zooplankton, an experimental study. Hydrobiologia 111, 107–112 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008622

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008622

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