Simultaneous Study of the Growth and Grazing Mortality Rates of Microbial Food Web Components in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon

The abundances of 17 cytometric groups encompassing four bacteria, three cyanobacteria, six eukaryotic picophytoplankton (<2–3 µm), and small nanophytoplankton (between 3 6 µm) were studied in the Thau Lagoon across different seasonal conditions. Among them, growth (µ) mortality rates due to grazing (g) 12 pico- simultaneously via dilution experiments heterotrophic flagellates ciliates their potential predators linked prey mortality. Bacteria more active than phytoplankton displayed highest rates. Most had g:µ ratios > 1, suggesting that efficiently grazed transferred these preys. Surprisingly, observed variations predator abundance seasons did not necessarily correspond with changes pressure. significant positive relationship found between water temperature bacterial reverse trend for larger suggested warmer increases prokaryote transfer higher trophic levels but disadvantages transfer.