Feeding Mechanisms in Zooplankton

Zooplankton showcase diverse feeding strategies influenced by their environment and prey type. The Reynolds number, distinguishing between viscous and inertial flows, plays a crucial role in shaping these strategies. Zooplankton, existing in both viscous and inertial realms, must acquire food from highly diluted environments, prompting the evolution of various mechanisms for prey detection and capture. These include diffusion feeding, passive ambush feeding seen in jellyfish, and active ambush feeding employed by copepods and chaetognaths. Filter-feeders like appendicularians and cruising feeders like some copepods and protozoa utilize water currents to attract and capture prey. The diversity in zooplankton feeding mechanisms demonstrates evolutionary convergence towards different strategies.