Besides phytoplankton, what other microscopic organisms form the major nutritional intake for zebra mussels?
Answer
Zooplankton
The diet of the zebra mussel is centered on the planktonic community, which serves as their primary nutritional buffet. Phytoplankton, the microscopic primary producers, constitute a major portion of their caloric intake. Equally vital to their nutrition are zooplankton, which are the tiny animals that graze on phytoplankton. Zooplankton represent a secondary, protein-rich target for the mussels. By consuming both these components, the mussels are efficiently capturing energy from the lowest trophic levels of the aquatic food web, effectively intercepting energy before it can be transferred to native consumers that rely on these same planktonic resources.
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