Ocean’s Hidden Hardeners: The World of Underwater Micro-Grazers

This chapter explores microscopic sea predators like protozoans, which play a vital role in the oceanic food web by consuming a significant portion of the carbon produced by microalgae. These single-celled organisms have evolved various feeding strategies, such as stinging toxins and external stomachs. The mixoplankton, often referred to as the ocean’s carnivorous plants, blur the line between plant and animal by actively hunting prey and harnessing photosynthesis. Copepods, the most abundant metazoans in the sea (and on Earth), are essential for transferring nutrients and sustaining marine life. Despite their small size, these organisms have a massive impact on marine ecosystems, underscoring the importance of these tiny but mighty creatures in maintaining the ocean’s balance.