A mathematical model of the interactions in the mixed culture of invertebrates and algae in the “producer-consumer” aquatic biotic cycle
In: Aquatic Ecology. Springer: Dordrecht; London; Boston. ISSN 1386-2588; e-ISSN 1573-5125, more
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| Keywords |
Interspecific relationships > Competition
Metabolites
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| Authors | | Top |
- Pisman, T.I.
- Bogdanova, O.N.
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| Abstract |
This paper presents a mathematical model of interactions between two herbivorous invertebrates (ciliate Paramecium caudatum and rotifer Brachionus plicatilis) and two planktonic algae (Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda) spatially segregated in two compartments of a chemostat-type experimental microcosm system. The model mimics a “producer-consumer” aquatic biotic cycle, describing the dynamics of the mixed culture of ciliates and rotifers, as “consumer” compartment, feeding on the mixed algal culture, as “producer” compartment, under N-limiting conditions. We experimentally found that metabolites of the alga Scenedesmus produce an adverse effect on the reproduction of ciliate Paramecium. Taking this effect into account improved the behavior of the model, the results of which came into qualitative agreement with the experimental results. Both our experimental and modeling approaches demonstrated that, even in conditions of a spatially-segregated “producer-consumer” biotic cycle, species coexistence is impossible either in the mixed algal culture or in the mixed invertebrate culture. Scenedesmus excluded Chlorella, whereas Brachionus excluded Paramecium. |
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