Methodological review and meta-analysis of dilution assays for estimates of virus- and grazer-mediated phytoplankton mortality

In a new paper in Limnology and oceanography, methods, recent PhD graduate Michael Staniewski (Short Lab), reviews methodological differences among modified dilution assay studies, discusses their implications, and provides recommendations for the application of future assays. The modified dilution assay is the only current approach that allows for direct estimates of both grazer- and virus-mediated phytoplankton mortality, without the use of excessive assumptions or conversion factors. A meta-analysis is also presented, based on grazer- and virus-mediated mortality and host instantaneous growth rates extracted from these studies.

Congrats to Michael!