Question

Which of the following organisms are known as chief producers in the oceans ?

Answer 1

Dinoflagellates, diatoms and euglenoids are autotrophic protists capable of photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria (blue green algae) are photosynthetic autotrophs. They belong to the kingdom Monera.

However, the diatoms are one of the chief 'producers' in the ocean, responsible annually for 20% of photosynthetically fixed carbon dioxide on earth. These are large and capable of growing rapidly when nutrients become available. Hence, they serve directly or indirectly as food for many animals.