Diatoms Versus Copepods: Could Frustule Traits Have a Role in Avoiding Predation?

Predation is one of the strongest selection pressures phytoplankton has evolved strategies to cope with. Concurrently, growth must deal with resource acquisition. Experiments on mono- and mixed cultures morphologically different diatoms exposed copepods were performed assess if size shape primary drivers in avoiding predation. Additionally, frustule silicification was investigated as a potential factor affecting prey by copepods. Thalassiosira pseudonana , Conticribra weissflogii Cylindrotheca closterium Phaeodactylum tricornutum presence Temora longicornis calanoid copepod. The physiological response terms growth, elemental composition morphology determined. power Image Flow Cytometry allowed functional single-cell analyses absence Results highlighted that T. although most eaten monospecific cultures, not preferred when bigger C. added culture. When pennates co-cultured centric diatoms, their unaffected predators. Our data suggested contributes long-term prey-predator interaction since elongated thinner frustule, which more recently, benefited cells escaping from predators also facing competition for resources.