Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Biology
First Advisor
Anne W. Thompson
Term of Graduation
Summer 2024
Date of Publication
7-17-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.) in Biology
Department
Biology
Language
English
Subjects
Appendicularians, clearance rate, gelatinous, picocyanobacteria, Prochlorococcus, selection
Physical Description
1 online resource (viii, 84 pages)
Abstract
Prochlorococcus is the most abundant photosynthetic cell on Earth. This picocyanobacterium is critical to primary productivity and biogeochemical cycles of the open ocean. While abiotic environmental factors that influence Prochlorococcus are relatively well-understood, biotic controls are less well known. Appendicularians are ubiquitous gelatinous zooplankton that feed on marine microorganisms including Prochlorococcus. However, the details of this feeding interaction are extremely understudied relative to its potential importance. In this study, I characterized the relationship between appendicularians and Prochlorococcus with laboratory experiments. I showed that feeding on Prochlorococcus changes with the life stage of the appendicularians and concentration of prey. I also found that appendicularians did not feed differently on different Prochlorococcus strains. While field studies have found evidence of appendicularian grazing on Prochlorococcus, the quantitative insight from this thesis is critical to filling gaps in existing models of the marine carbon cycle, microbial community dynamics, and the ecology of Prochlorococcus.
Rights
© 2024 Carey Sweeney
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42646
Recommended Citation
Sweeney, Carey, "Predation of Appendicularians on Prochlorococcus" (2024). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 6729.