answersLogoWhite

0

Phytoplankton by definition are autotrophic photosynthetic protists (eukaryotic single-celled organisms), who use mineral nutrients and atmospheric CO2 , and energy from sunlight to produce organic carbon compounds, later on used as energy source in respiration. So in their ecosystem they position as primary producers.

Herbivores are organisms feeding on phytoplankton, most commonly either rotifers or crustaceans. They are called zooplankton. So herbivory in aqueous ecosystems represents the kind of predator-prey interaction, where prey is algae or bacteria, and predators are either members of zooplankton, or sometimes also Protozoa (ciliates, nanoflagellates), or alveolates (dinoflagellates). Because the latter two can also be itself autotrophic and prey for other herbivores, those relations are little bit mixed up, when it comes to phytoplankton and herbivory.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?