Marine Food Web sunlight phytoplankton zooplankton carnivores benthic & pelagic suspension feeders other carnivores Arrows show flow of energy and materials.

What is plankton? Comes from the Greek word “to roam” Cannot swim against ocean currents. Can move their limbs but their overall position or location is determined by water currents

Where are they? Pelagic division –Open water at all depths Transparent Constantly moving Photic zone –Light penetrates 100 meters

Phyto- or Zooplankton? PhytoplanktonZooplankton Dinoflagellates Diatoms

Adaptations AdaptationReasoning SmallRequires less food TransparentCamouflage Spiny extensions Protection and prevent sinking OilsBuoyancy Large eyesSight

Transparency

Spiny extensions

Large eyes

Phytoplankton Photosynthetic autotrophs –Diatoms –Dinoflagellates –Bacteria

Diatoms Greek Dia = across and tom = to cut Enclosed with 2 silicone shells May produce oil for buoyancy Can cause shellfish poisoning

Impact May turn water green

Dinoflagellates Greek Dinos = rotating and flagellate = flagella Red or brown accessory pigments external armored plates of cellulose motile by means of flagella Non-motile symbiotic zooxanthellae stage found in corals

Impact Toxic –Saxitoxins=paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) –Brevitoxins=neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) –Pfiesteria – red tide

Bioluminescent Special bacteria

Dinoflagellates

Zooplankton Planktonic heterotrophic organisms –Animals Larval stages Copepods –Protozoans

Where do they go? Holoplankton –Permanent plankton krill, copepods, jellyfish Meroplankton –Temporary plankton Sea urchin, starfish, crab, lobster, octopus