Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Marine Science => Topic started by: Johann Mahne on 22/09/2011 09:07:18

Title: What is the most profilic marine organism?
Post by: Johann Mahne on 22/09/2011 09:07:18

is it Kelp, Diatoms, Krill, algae?

Title: What is the most profilic marine organism?
Post by: Don_1 on 22/09/2011 09:23:49

It might be dependant on the time of year.

Title: What is the most profilic marine organism?
Post by: CliffordK on 23/09/2011 07:11:22

I suppose it would depend on the definition, and how you measure. 

Doesn't Plankton cover algae, diatoms, and perhaps other stuff. 

Title: What is the most profilic marine organism?
Post by: Nizzle on 06/10/2011 09:58:26

Yea, are you talking about number of individuals, or tons of biomass?

I thought the total mass of krill organisms was the largest,
but phytoplankton (being at the very bottom of the food chain) are the most abundant in number of 'individuals'

Title: What is the most profilic marine organism?
Post by: CliffordK on 07/10/2011 07:58:11

What about prokaryotes?

At least in numbers, there is an awful lot of prokaryotes around the globe.

Title: Re: What is the most profilic marine organism?
Post by: Devilmunkey on 12/01/2012 01:01:11

I think in terms of number, diatoms are quite likely to come on top, though in terms of overall biomass possibly krill (I think I recall being told in a lecture, althought this was some time ago and marine life is not my area). Additionaly, from my own research i'm well aware of the vast amount and diversity of protozoa in general wherever water is found, such as Blepharisma. spp, Paramecium and other ciliates.