Data from: Importance of mixotrophic bacterivory can be predicted by light and loss rates

Recent observational studies form oligotrophic waters provide ample
evidence that mixotrophic flagellates often account for the bulk of
bacterivory. However, we lack a general framework that allows a
mechanistic understanding of success of mixotrophs in the competition with
heterotrophic bacterivores. This is especially needed for integrating
mixotrophy in models of the microbial loop. Based on general tradeoffs
linked to the combined resource use in mixotrophs (generalist versus
specialist), we propose a concept where mixotrophs are favored by
conditions of high light – low losses, corresponding to the situation
found in the surface waters of oligotrophic oceans. Under such conditions,
they can achieve positive net growth at very low resource levels, allowing
simultaneous competition with specialized protists. Conversely,
heterotrophic bacterivores and photoautotrophs should be especially
favored in more productive and low-light conditions. We show
experimentally that the combined effect of light and loss rates (dilution)
predicts the success of mixotrophic bacterivorous flagellates. Moreover,
our results suggest that total bacterivory, contrary as seen in the
traditional microbial loop concept, has a more intricate coupling to
light.