The impact of mixotrophs on the microbial food web in lakes

Mixotrophic protists combine photosynthesis with phagotrophy. Though common to marine and freshwater ecosystems yet their role in trophic interactions is not well understood. Accumulating evidence from marine environments supports a considerable quantitative importance of mixotrophs as bacterivores. Despite this, mixotrophs are not considered in most contemporary models of the pelagic food web. Not considering the significance of mixotrophs likely yields biased estimates about the carbon metabolism of lakes and oceans, as their metabolism differs considerably from that of heterotrophic consumers. The project will generate crucial quantitative data that is required for incorporating mixotrophy as a key aspect of the microbial food web in lake ecosystems, and will shed light on the ecology of this prevalent yet elusive functional group.