engleski

Seasonal variability in the bottom-up and top-down control of bacteria in the middle Adriatic Sea

BU control dominated during the colder part of the year, and TD control during the warmer part of the year. Heterotrophic nanoflagellate (HNF) abundance was high during the warmer part of the year (May – August), whereas, bacterial abundance was relatively high during the colder period (December – February). Bacterial abundance increase during the colder part of the year could be the result of both increasing availability of nutrients (particularly nitrogen) and low grazing on bacteria. Increase of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and in a less degree phosphorus during the period between December and February coincided with precipitation and the Jadro River inflow maxima which typically occur in that period. In the same time, the coupling between bacteria and HNF was very weak suggesting low grazing on bacteria by HNF. Increased abundance of ciliates during the colder part of the year suggests that HNF itself could be TD controlled by ciliates during this period.

Bacteria; bottom-up; top-down; seasonal variability

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