Strombidium cf. basimorphum growth, ingestion, and photosynthetic responses to different irradiance and prey concentration

This data was generated as part of a study in which inorganic carbon uptake, growth, and ingestion rates were measured for S. cf. basimorphum under three different irradiances (10, 40, and 120 μmol photons m–2 s–1) when acclimated to three different prey densities (5000, 10000, and 40000 cells mL-1), and when allowed to deplete the prey. After prey depletion, cultures survived without prey longest (~6 days) at the medium test irradiance (40 μmol photons m–2 s–1), while inorganic carbon uptake rates and cellular chl-a content declined fastest at the highest test irradiance. This indicates that the ciliates may be unable to maintain the chloroplasts functionally without replacement at high irradiances. Ingestion rates were not shown to be significantly influenced by irradiance. The maximum gross growth efficiency (GGE) in this study (1.1) was measured in cultures exposed to the medium test irradiance and lowest prey density treatment (5×10^3 cells mL-1). The relative contribution of inorganic carbon uptake to the ciliate carbon budget was also highest in this treatment (42%). A secondary GGE peak (0.99) occurred when cultures were exposed to the highest test irradiance and the medium prey density. These and other results suggest that S. cf. basimorphum and other generalist non-constitutive mixotrophs can flexibly exploit many different environmental conditions across the globe.

Units can be found in the first mention of each parameter for every sheet.

V2: Corrected a mistake in the notes: the variable Lchla was measured in [µg chl-a/ L] not [pg chl-a/L]. Added missing biovolume information.
V3: Combined datasheets into a single more easily accessible file, elaborated on variable and data explanations in the notes, and ensured consistency in column naming across both experiments; description and methods changed to reflect the corresponding article's updated text.