Pigmented nanoflagellates grazing on Synechococcus: seasonal variations and effect of flagellate size in the coastal ecosystem of subtropical Western Pacific.

We investigated seasonal variation of grazing impact of the pigmented nanoflagellates (PNF) with different sizes upon Synechococcus in the subtropical western Pacific coastal waters using grazing experiments with fluorescently labeled Synechococcus (FLS). For total PNF, conspicuous seasonal variations of ingestion rates on Synechococcus were found, and a functional response was observed. To further investigate the impact of different size groups, we separated the PNF into four categories (<3, 3-5, 5-10, and >10 microm). Our results indicated that the smallest PNF (<3 microm PNF) did not ingest FLS and was considered autotrophic. PNF of 3-5 microm in size made up most of the PNF community; however, their ingestion on Synechococcus was too low (0.1-1.9 Syn PNF(-1) h(-1)) to support their growth, and they had to depend on other prey or photosynthesis to survive. The ingestion rate of the 3-5 microm group exhibited no significant seasonal variation; by contrast, the ingestion rates of 5-10 and >10 microm PNFs showed significant seasonal variation. During the warm season, 3-5 microm PNF were responsible for the grazing of 12% of Synechococcus production, 5-10 microm PNF for 48%, and >10 microm PNF for 2%. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the PNF of 3-10 microm consumed most Synechococcus during the warm season and exhibited a significant functional response to the increase in prey concentration.