Parasites of phytoplankton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phytoplankton are characterized as organisms which are unable to swim against a current and produce their own organic carbon via photosynthesis.[1] They are responsible for producing approximately 50 percent of the Earth’s primary productivity and are therefore crucial in maintaining both marine ecosystems and adding a significant amount of oxygen to the atmosphere.[2] However, as with other organisms, phytoplankton are hosts to many diverse forms of parasites, including, but not limited to, fungal- and non-fungal zoosporic parasites, Dinoflagellates, Cercozoans, and viruses.[3][4] Parasites use nutrients from their hosts, at that organisms expense, and display diverse methods of infection.[5] Parasites can play integral roles in the dynamics and interactions between phytoplankton and their communities, such as controlling population abundance, distribution and biodiversity.[6]
This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (May 2024) |