Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that grazing by bacterivorous zooplankton might suppress methanotrophic ac- tivity in small stratifi ed, humic lakes. During two series of replicated laboratory experiments, densities of methane- oxidising bacteria (MOB) in water from a small, polyhumic lake were measured in the presence of different densi- ties (range 0-200 individuals l -1 ) of a large bacterivorous cladoceran, Daphnia longispina. Grazing by Daphnia and by nanofl agellates reduced the proportion of MOB in the microbial community and the methanotrophic activity decreased signifi cantly at higher Daphnia densities. Thus, the hypothesis arising from previous fi eld observations was supported experimentally, but fi eld studies are required to quantify the infl uence of grazers on methanotrophic activity and CH4 effl uxes of lakes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
