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Trophical Role of Bacteria in the Ecosystem of the Coral Reef

Nature volume 242, pages 415–417 (1973)Cite this article

Abstract

THE factors responsible for the high productivity of coral reefs in oligotrophic tropical waters are still not understood1,2. The relative importance of the predatory and symbiotically herbivorous nutrition of corals is not clear3, and other feeding mechanisms, filtering and osmotic nutrition4,5, have not been studied sufficiently. Furthermore, very little is known about the microbial population of the reef ecosystems. Di Salvo6 showed that reefs support an abundant and active microflora which Participates in nutrient regeneration and serves as food for filter feeders including some corals7, but there are no quantitative data relating to the biomass and production of microflora on reefs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology of Inland Waters, Borok, Jaroslavl, USSR

    Y. I. SOROKIN

Authors
  1. Y. I. SOROKIN
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SOROKIN, Y. Trophical Role of Bacteria in the Ecosystem of the Coral Reef. Nature 242, 415–417 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/242415a0

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