Ecology Summary - Zoothamnium niveum

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Ecology of Zoothamnium niveum

Main Ref.	Rinke, C., S. Schmitz-Esser, K. Stoecker, A.D. Nussbaumer, D.A. Molna´r, K. Vanura, M. Wagner, M. Horn, J.A. Ott and M. Bright, 2006
Remarks	It inhabits mangrove peat walls in groups of more than 100 colonies, with an estimated group life of approximately 20 days, mainly in areas where microbial surface mat has been destroyed (Ref. 87022). It is found attached to a substrate, particularly in subtidal areas where sulfide sources are present. Large colonies are observed on garbage bags and rotting vegetables found in mangrove ponds. Generally is occupies ephemeral habitats where it is patchily distributed (Ref. 85814). The peritrich ciliate is a filter feeder, and its microzooids possess a fully developed oral ciliature and cytopharynx (Ref. 87023).

Main Ref.

Rinke, C., S. Schmitz-Esser, K. Stoecker, A.D. Nussbaumer, D.A. Molna´r, K. Vanura, M. Wagner, M. Horn, J.A. Ott and M. Bright, 2006

Remarks

It inhabits mangrove peat walls in groups of more than 100 colonies, with an estimated group life of approximately 20 days, mainly in areas where microbial surface mat has been destroyed (Ref. 87022). It is found attached to a substrate, particularly in subtidal areas where sulfide sources are present. Large colonies are observed on garbage bags and rotting vegetables found in mangrove ponds. Generally is occupies ephemeral habitats where it is patchily distributed (Ref. 85814). The peritrich ciliate is a filter feeder, and its microzooids possess a fully developed oral ciliature and cytopharynx (Ref. 87023).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

	Marine - Neritic	Marine - Oceanic	Brackishwater	Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies	supra-littoral zone littoral zone sublittoral zone	epipelagic mesopelagic epipelagic abyssopelagic hadopelagic	estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas mangroves marshes/swamps	rivers/streams lakes/ponds caves exclusively in caves

Highighted items on the list are where Zoothamnium niveum may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	Benthic;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.	Rinke, C., S. Schmitz-Esser, K. Stoecker, A.D. Nussbaumer, D.A. Molna´r, K. Vanura, M. Wagner, M. Horn, J.A. Ott and M. Bright, 2006
Associations	symbiosis;
Associated with	It is in obligatory association with ectosymbiotic bacteria which is responsible for the ciliate's brilliant white color.
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type
Feeding type Ref.
Feeding habit	filtering plankton
Feeding habit Ref.	Røy, H., K. Vopel, M. Huettel and B.B. Jørgensen, 2009

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	original sample		unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition
From individual food items
Ref.

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