Size-dependent and -independent prey selection of dinoflagellates

Abstract Mechanisticapproachestoplanktonfood-websoftenrelyonsize-basedmodels.Thesemodelsdescribe predator–preyrelationshipsbasedonpredator body or cell size. However, size-based representations of trophic relationships fail to encompass the diverse feeding behavior dinoflagellates, which play an essential role in food-web due their abundance and ubiquity. Here, we introduce specialization factor ( s ) as effective trait, aggregates over aspects morphology, strategy, quantifies degree towards a specific prey We found that either upper lower edge size spectrum is connected independent relations. As result, dinoflagellates can be divided into three groups with distinct dependencies optimal on predator size: (1) mixotrophic engulfers specialized small $$s=-1$$ s = - 1 ), (2) pallium feeders large $$s=1$$ (3) neutral $$s=0$$ 0 encompassing generalist tube feeders. Our trait based approach elucidates evolutionary significance modes compared phylogenetically older such ciliates. It furthermore leads more accurate representation models provide, generally, efficient description complex relations plankton food-webs.