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Prey size selection, feeding rates and growth dynamics of heterotrophic dinoflagellates with special emphasis on Gyrodinium spirale

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Abstract

The relationship between size and growth rate in heterotrophic dinoflagellates (collected from the Kattegat, Denmark during 1989 and 1990) was studied. In addition, prey size selection, feeding rates and growth dynamics were studied for the naked heterotrophic dinoflagellate Gyrodinium spirale Bergh. Heterotrophic dinoflagellates have growth rates which are approximately three times lower than that of their potential competitors, the ciliates. G. spirale requires a relatively high prey concentration in order to grow. Ingestion rate at the maintenance level is about half of that of maximum ingestion rate. Consequently, yield is lower than typically found for planktonic protozoa. When exposed to low prey concentrations, the dinoflagellate is able to reduce its metabolism and thus prolong survival. The optimum prey particle size for G. spirale, which feeds by direct engulfment, corresponds to its own size. The ability to ingest relatively large prey may explain why these organisms are competitive in nature.

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  1. Per Juel Hansen

    Present address: Dept of Marine Ecology and Microbiology, National Environmental Research Institute, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Matine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000, Helsingør, Denmark

    Per Juel Hansen

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  1. Per Juel Hansen
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Communicated by T. Fenchel, Helsingør

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Hansen, P.J. Prey size selection, feeding rates and growth dynamics of heterotrophic dinoflagellates with special emphasis on Gyrodinium spirale . Marine Biology 114, 327–334 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349535

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349535

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