Eco-Evolutionary Perspectives on Mixoplankton

Mixotrophy, i.e., the capability of both phototrophy and phagotrophy within a single organism, is prominent trophic mode in aquatic ecosystems. Mixotrophic strategies can be highly advantageous when feeding or photosynthesis alone does not sustain metabolic needs. In current review, we discuss functional types mixotrophic marine protists (herein mixoplankton) context evolution. Permanent plastids have been established large due to gene transfer from prey and/or endosymbionts host cell. some kleptoplastidic mixoplankton, prior transfers active transcription plastid related genes help maintain extend retention kleptoplast. addition kleptoplasts, nucleus also sometimes retained actively transcribed even replicate kleptoplasts. Endosymbiotic relations vary considerably extent which hosts affect symbionts. For example, are heavily modified increase photosynthetic efficiency, controlled their cell division. It proposed that many kleptoplasts fact en route becoming permanent plastids. Conditions such as increased temperature limiting nutrients seem favor mixoplankton. However, responses mixoplankton changing environmental conditions like light irradiance, temperature, nutrient, availability variable species-specific. Studying mixotrophs with temporary could elucidate past future evolutionary mechanisms dynamics processes establishment (secondary)