Zooplanktonic forms area) Primary pro...
•A food chain is series of plants/animals which are interrelated in the form of organism being eaten as food by the other. In aquatic food chain, phytoplankton are primary producers which are eaten by zooplankton. Zooplankton are primary consumers. They are herbivores.
* These zooplankton are further eaten by secondary consumers fishes. The secondary consumers are carnivores.
Thus, the correct answer is 'Primary consumers.'
Zooplanktonic forms area) Primary pro...
Zooplanktonic forms
Zooplanktonic forms are organisms that drift in the water column and are part of the plankton community. They are primarily classified based on their feeding habits and play important roles in aquatic ecosystems.
Primary consumers
Zooplanktonic forms primarily act as primary consumers in the food chain. They feed on primary producers such as phytoplankton, which are the main source of food for many aquatic organisms. By consuming phytoplankton, zooplankton transfer energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels.
Role in the ecosystem
- Zooplanktonic forms help in regulating the population of phytoplankton, preventing their overgrowth, and maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
- They serve as an important food source for higher trophic levels such as fish, thus contributing to the transfer of energy within the food web.
- Zooplanktonic forms also play a crucial role in nutrient cycling by releasing nutrients back into the water through their excretion, contributing to the productivity of the ecosystem.
In conclusion, zooplanktonic forms primarily act as primary consumers in aquatic ecosystems by feeding on primary producers such as phytoplankton. Their role in regulating populations, serving as food sources, and contributing to nutrient cycling makes them essential components of aquatic food webs.
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