Energy–Dependent Bacterivory in Ochromonas minima–A Strategy Promoting the Use of Substitutable Resources and Survival at Insufficient Light Supply

Phagotrophy and competitive ability of the mixotrophic Ochromonas minima were investigated in a three-factorial experiment where light intensity (low: 1.0 μmol m−2 s−1 and high: 60 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD), nutrient concentration (ambient: 7.0 μmol N l−1, 0.11 μmol P l−1 and enriched: 88 μmol N l−1, 6.3 μmol P l−1) and DOC supply (without and with enrichment, 250 μmol C l−1) were manipulated. Ochromonas minima and bacterial abundance were monitored for 12 days. We found significant and interacting effects of light and nutrients on Ochromonas minima growth rate and abundance. At high light intensity, nutrient enrichment resulted in increased growth rates and population sizes. In contrast, reduced growth rates and population sizes were observed for nutrient enrichment when light intensity was low. Although, Ochromonas minima was able to ingest bacteria under both high and low light conditions, it grew only when light intensity was high. At high light intensity, Ochromonas minima grew exponentially under nutrient conditions that would have been limiting for photoautotrophic microalgae. In non-enriched low light treatments, Ochromonas minima populations survived, probably by using background DOC as an energy source, indicating that this ability can be of relevance for natural systems even when DOC concentrations are relatively low. When competing with photoautotrophic microalgae, the ability to grow under severe nutrient limitation and to survive under light limitation should be advantageous for Ochromonas minima.