Microzooplankton grazing and its key group composition in subtropical eutrophic coast of Southern China: in relation to environmental changes

Microzooplanton play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, as they transfer matter and energy from pico- and nano-phytoplankton to mesozooplankton. In this study, we explored the seasonal variations of microzooplankton grazing derived from dilution experiments in a typical eutrophic coast of Southern China, as well as the abundance and biodiversity of its key group (ciliate), to further understand its function in the subtropical coastal food web associated with potential regulation factors. A total of 29 ciliate species belonging to 18 genera were identified, with the dominating species of Mesodinium rubrum, Strombidium globosaneum and Strombidium conicum. The spatial difference of ciliates abundance was attributed by the changes of temperature and salinity. Phytoplankton growth rate (mu) and microzooplankton grazing rate (m) ranged from 0.03 to 1.36 d(-1) and 0.10 to 1.57 d(-1), respectively, and both mu and m showed the highest values in summer and the lowest in winter. Moreover, microzooplankton grazing pressure on the phytoplankton standing stocks and potential primary production ranged from 10% to 79% and 58% to 471%, respectively. Our results indicated that temperature is the main environmental driving force for the seasonal changes of mu and m, and that the impacts of run-offs from the Pearl River and offshore seawater intrusion from the South China Sea are responsible for the spatial-temporal variations of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing.

Automated summary

Microzooplankton play a crucial role in transferring matter and energy in marine ecosystems. This study explored the seasonal variations of microzooplankton grazing in a eutrophic coast of Southern China, finding temperature as the main environmental driving force for microzooplankton grazing. The impacts of run-offs from the Pearl River and offshore seawater intrusion from the South China Sea were responsible for spatial-temporal variations in phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing.