![Aditee Mitra](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1742?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Aditee Mitra
Research Fellow
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am a botanist by first degree, an ecologist by virtue of my MSc degree and a systems dynamics modeller of plankton ecophysiology via my PhD and research activities. My background allows me to interface with a wide science base both for research and teaching.
I have a keen interest in working at the interface of science, governance and the public. Thus, I have worked as Managing Editor for the Journal of Plankton Research (Oxford University Press), as Climate Change Research Consultant on a WLGA funded project, as Biodiversity Officer for Bridgend County Borough Council, as a British Science Association Media Fellow with BBC Countryfile.
More recently, in research, I have been a key driver of the new mixoplankton-centric paradigm in marine ecology championing the cause of nature's "Perfect Beasts". I authored a Scientific American article on the Perfect Beast (March 2018). This was selected for the Scientific American Revolutions in Science Special Issue (July 2018) as one of the "13 discoveries that could change everything". This article has also been translated into French and German.
Publication
2024
- Mitra, A. 2024. Importance of dynamics of acquired phototrophy amongst mixoplankton; a unique example of essential nutrient transmission in community ecology. Community Ecology (10.1007/s42974-024-00202-9)
- Anschütz, A., Maselli, M., Traboni, C., Stolte, W., Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2024. Importance of integration of the mixoplankton paradigm within Marine Framework Directives. Zenodo. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10684459
- Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J., Stoecker, D. K. and Raven, J. A. 2024. Trait trade-offs in phagotrophic microalgae: the mixoplankton conundrum. European Journal of Phycology 59(1), pp. 51-70. (10.1080/09670262.2023.2216259)
2023
- Mitra, A. and Leles, S. G. 2023. A revised interpretation of marine primary productivity in the Indian Ocean: the role of mixoplankton. In: Tripathy, S. C. and Singh, A. eds. Dynamics of Planktonic Primary Productivity in the Indian Ocean. Springer, pp. 101-128., (10.1007/978-3-031-34467-1_5)
- Mitra, A. et al. 2023. The Mixoplankton Database - diversity of photo-phago-trophic plankton in form, function and distribution across the global ocean. The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 70(4), article number: e12972. (10.1111/jeu.12972)
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2023. Feeding in mixoplankton enhances phototrophy increasing bloom-induced pH changes with ocean acidification. Journal of Plankton Research 45(4), pp. 636–651. (10.1093/plankt/fbad030)
- Tillmann, U., Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J. and Larsson, M. E. 2023. Mucus-trap-assisted feeding is a common strategy of the small mixoplanktonic prorocentrum pervagatum and P. cordatum (prorocentrales, dinophyceae). Microorganisms 11(7), article number: 1730. (10.3390/microorganisms11071730)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2023. Low rates of bacterivory enhances phototrophy and competitive advantage for mixoplankton growing in oligotrophic waters. Scientific Reports 13(1) (10.1038/s41598-023-33962-x)
2022
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Wilson, W. H., Kimmance, S. A., Clark, D. R., Pelusi, A. and Polimene, L. 2022. 'Boom-and-busted' dynamics of phytoplankton-virus interactions explain the paradox of the plankton. New Phytologist 234(3), pp. 990-1002. (10.1111/nph.18042)
- Glibert, P. M. and Mitra, A. 2022. From webs, loops, shunts, and pumps to microbial multitasking: evolving concepts of marine microbial ecology, the mixoplankton paradigm, and implications for a future ocean. Limnology and Oceanography 67(3), pp. 585-597. (10.1002/lno.12018)
- Anschütz, A., Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2022. Acquired phototrophy and Its implications for bloom dynamics of the Teleaulax-Mesodinium-Dinophysis-Complex. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, article number: 799358. (10.3389/fmars.2021.799358)
2021
- Duarte Ferreira, G. et al. 2021. Mixoplankton interferences in dilution grazing experiments. Scientific Reports 11(1), article number: 23849. (10.1038/s41598-021-03176-0)
- Flynn, K. J., Speirs, D. C., Heath, M. R. and Mitra, A. 2021. Subtle differences in the representation of consumer dynamics have large effects in marine food web models. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, article number: 638892. (10.3389/fmars.2021.638892)
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Gilbert, P. and Smyth, T. 2021. Mixoplankton international workshop report. Presented at: MixITiN International Conference on Mixoplankton 2021, Cardiff, Wales, 19-20 January 2021. , (10.5281/zenodo.5521009)
- Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J., Anestis, K., Mansour, J. S., Ferreira, G. D. and Calbert, A. 2021. Novel approaches for investigating marine planktonic mixotrophy. Zenodo. Available at: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5148500
- 2021. A guide for field studies and environmental monitoring of mixoplankton populations. Zenodo. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5054916
- Mitra, A., Hansen, P. J. and Flynn, K. J. 2021. Seasonal distribution of non-constitutive mixoplankton across Arctic, temperate and Mediterranean coastal waters. Zenodo. (10.5281/zenodo.5055708)
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2021. A simple N-based mixoplankton model; cockpit version. (10.5281/zenodo.5026516)
- Flynn, K. J., Kimmance, S. A., Clark, D. R., Mitra, A., Polimene, L. and Wilson, W. H. 2021. Modelling the effects of traits and abiotic factors on viral lysis in phytoplankton. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, article number: 667184. (10.3389/fmars.2021.667184)
- Goncalves Leles, S., Bruggeman, J., Polimere, L., Blackford, J., Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2021. Differences in physiology explain succession of mixoplankton functional types and affect carbon fluxes in temperate seas. Progress in Oceanography 190, article number: 102481. (10.1016/j.pocean.2020.102481)
- Hansen, P. J. et al. 2021. A manual for isolation and culture of mixoplankton to support experimental studies.
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2021. A simple n-based mixoplankton model. Zenodo. (10.5281/zenodo.5026396)
2020
- Glibert, P. et al. 2020. Multifaceted climatic change and nutrient effects on harmful algae require multifaceted models. In: Botana, L. M., Louzao, M. C. and Vilarino, N. eds. Climate Change and Marine and Freshwater Toxins, 2nd Edition. De Gruyter, pp. 473-518., (10.1515/9783110625738-012)
2019
- Hansen, P. J. et al. 2019. Mixotrophy among freshwater and marine protists. In: Encyclopedia of Microbiology (Fourth Edition). Elsevier, pp. 199-210., (10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.20685-7)
- Flynn, K. J. et al. 2019. Mixotrophic protists and a new paradigm for marine ecology: where does plankton research go now?. Journal of Plankton Research 41(4), pp. 375-391. (10.1093/plankt/fbz026)
- Goncalves Leles, S. et al. 2019. Sampling bias misrepresents the biogeographical significance of constitutive mixotrophs across global oceans. Global Ecology and Biogeography 28(4), pp. 418-428. (10.1111/geb.12853)
- Glibert, P. M., Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J., Hansen, P. J., Jeong, H. J. and Stoecker, D. 2019. Plants are not animals and animals are not plants, right? Wrong! Tiny creatures in the ocean can be both at once!. Frontiers for Young Minds 7(48) (10.3389/frym.2019.00048)
- Sandhu, S., Morozov, A., Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2019. Exploring nonlinear functional responses of zooplankton grazers in dilution experiments via optimization techniques. Limnology and Oceanography 64(2), pp. 774-784. (10.1002/lno.11073)
- Mitra, A. 2019. Comment: Mixotrophic plankton - the perfect beasts of our oceans. Microbiology Today Magazine Oceans, pp. 47-48.
2018
- Gonçalves Leles, S., Polimene, L., Bruggeman, J., Blackford, J., Ciavatta, S., Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2018. Modelling mixotrophic functional diversity and implications for ecosystem function. Journal of Plankton Research 40(6), pp. 627-642. (10.1093/plankt/fby044)
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A. and Bode, A. 2018. Toward a mechanistic understanding of trophic structure: Inferences from simulating stable isotope ratios. Marine Biology 165(9), pp. -., article number: 147. (10.1007/s00227-018-3405-0)
- Lin, C., Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A. and Glibert, P. M. 2018. Simulating effects of variable stoichiometry and temperature on mixotrophy in the harmful dinoflagellate karlodinium veneficum. Frontiers in Marine Science 5, pp. -., article number: 320. (10.3389/fmars.2018.00320)
- Mitra, A. 2018. The Perfect Beast. Scientific American 318(4), pp. 26-33. (10.1038/scientificamerican0418-26)
2017
- Ghyoot, C., Lancelot, C., Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A. and Gypens, N. 2017. Introducing mixotrophy into a biogeochemical model describing an eutrophied coastal ecosystem: The Southern North Sea. Progress in Oceanography 157, pp. 1-11. (10.1016/j.pocean.2017.08.002)
- Flynn, K. J., Kenny, P. and Mitra, A. 2017. Minimising losses to predation during microalgae cultivation. Journal of Applied Phycology 29(4), pp. 1829-1840. (10.1007/s10811-017-1112-8)
- Leles, S. G. et al. 2017. Oceanic protists with different forms of acquired phototrophy display contrasting biogeographies and abundance. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 284(1860), article number: 20170664. (10.1098/rspb.2017.0664)
- Ghyoot, C., Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Lancelot, C. and Gypens, N. 2017. Modeling plankton mixotrophy: A mechanistic model consistent with the shuter-type biochemical approach. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 5, pp. -., article number: 78. (10.3389/fevo.2017.00078)
- Stoecker, D., Hansen, P., Caron, D. and Mitra, A. 2017. Mixotrophy in the Marine Plankton. Annual Review of Marine Science 9(1), pp. 311-335. (10.1146/annurev-marine-010816-060617)
- Polimene, L., Sailley, S., Clark, D., Mitra, A. and Allen, J. 2017. Biological or microbial carbon pump? The role of phytoplankton stoichiometry in ocean carbon sequestration. Journal of Plankton Research 39(2), pp. 180-186. (10.1093/plankt/fbw091)
2016
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2016. Why plankton modelers should reconsider using rectangular hyperbolic (Michaelis-Menten, Monod) descriptions of predator-prey interactions. Frontiers in Marine Science 3, article number: 165. (10.3389/fmars.2016.00165)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2016. Exploring the implications of the stoichiometric modulation of planktonic predation. In: Aquatic Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry: A Dual Perspective. Cham: Springer, pp. 77-89., (10.1007/978-3-319-30259-1_7)
- Lundgren, V. M. et al. 2016. Metabolic and physiological changes in Prymnesium parvum when grown under, and grazing on prey of, variable nitrogen: Phosphorus stoichiometry. Harmful Algae 55, pp. 1-12. (10.1016/j.hal.2016.01.002)
- Mitra, A. et al. 2016. Defining planktonic protist functional groups on mechanisms for energy and nutrient acquisition: Incorporation of diverse mixotrophic strategies. Protist 167(2), pp. 106-120. (10.1016/j.protis.2016.01.003)
2015
- Flynn, K. J., St John, M., Raven, J. A., Skibinski, D. O., Allen, J. I., Mitra, A. and Hofmann, E. E. 2015. Acclimation, adaptation, traits and trade-offs in plankton functional type models: Reconciling terminology for biology and modelling. Journal of Plankton Research 37(4), pp. 683-691. (10.1093/plankt/fbv036)
- Flynn, K. J. et al. 2015. Ocean acidification with (de)eutrophication will alter future phytoplankton growth and succession. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 282(1804), article number: 20142604. (10.1098/rspb.2014.2604)
- Polimene, L., Mitra, A., Sailley, S., Ciavatta, S., Widdicombe, C., Atkinson, A. and Allen, J. 2015. Decrease in diatom palatability contributes to bloom formation in the Western English Channel. Progress in Oceanography 137, pp. 484-497. (10.1016/j.pocean.2015.04.026)
2014
- Mitra, A. et al. 2014. Bridging the gap between marine biogeochemical and fisheries sciences; configuring the zooplankton link. Progress in Oceanography 129(Part B), pp. 176-199. (10.1016/j.pocean.2014.04.025)
- Jiao, N. et al. 2014. Mechanisms of microbial carbon sequestration in the ocean – future research directions. Biogeosciences 11(19), pp. 5285-5306. (10.5194/bg-11-5285-2014)
- Mitra, A. et al. 2014. The role of mixotrophic protists in the biological carbon pump. Biogeosciences 11(4), pp. 995-1005. (10.5194/bg-11-995-2014)
- Sailley, S., Polimene, L., Mitra, A., Atkinson, A. and Allen, J. 2014. Impact of zooplankton food selectivity on plankton dynamics and nutrient cycling. Journal of Plankton Research 37(3), pp. 519-529. (10.1093/plankt/fbv020)
- St. John, M. et al. 2014. Introduction to the BASIN special issue: State of art, past present a view to the future. Progress in Oceanography 129(PB), pp. 171-175. (10.1016/j.pocean.2014.11.007)
- Jiao, N. et al. 2014. Corrigendum to "Mechanisms of microbial carbon sequestration in the ocean - Future research directions" published in Biogeosciences, 11, 5285-5306, 2014. Biogeosciences 11(19), pp. -. (10.5194/bg-11-5565-2014)
2013
- Anderson, T. R., Hessen, D. O., Mitra, A., Mayor, D. J. and Yool, A. 2013. Sensitivity of secondary production and export flux to choice of trophic transfer formulation in marine ecosystem models. Journal of Marine Systems 125, pp. 41-53. (10.1016/j.jmarsys.2012.09.008)
- Flynn, K. J. et al. 2013. Misuse of the phytoplankton-zooplankton dichotomy: the need to assign organisms as mixotrophs within plankton functional types. Journal of Plankton Research 35(1), pp. 3-11. (10.1093/plankt/fbs062)
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Greenwell, H. C. and Sui, J. 2013. Monster potential meets potential monster: Pros and cons of deploying genetically modified microalgae for biofuels production. Interface Focus 3(1), article number: 24427510. (10.1098/rsfs.2012.0037)
2012
- Acheampong, E., Nielsen, M., Mitra, A. and St. John, M. 2012. Towards an adaptive model for simulating growth of marine mesozooplankton: a macromolecular perspective. Ecological Modelling 225, pp. 1-18. (10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.11.002)
2010
- Mitra, A. and Davis, C. 2010. Defining the "to" in end-to-end models. Progress in Oceanography 84(1-2), pp. 39-42. (10.1016/j.pocean.2009.09.004)
- Anderson, T. R. and Mitra, A. 2010. Dysfunctionality in ecosystem models: an underrated pitfall?. Progress in Oceanography 84(1-2), pp. 66-68. (10.1016/j.pocean.2009.09.007)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2010. Modelling mixotrophy in harmful algal blooms: More or less the sum of the parts?. Journal of Marine Systems 83(3-4), pp. 158-169. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2010.04.006)
2009
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2009. Building the "perfect beast": modelling mixotrophic plankton. Journal of Plankton Research 31(9), pp. 965-992. (10.1093/plankt/fbp044)
- Mitra, A. 2009. Are closure terms appropriate or necessary descriptors of zooplankton loss in nutrient-phytoplankton-zooplankton type models?. Ecological Modelling 220(5), pp. 611-620. (10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2008.12.008)
2007
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2007. Importance of interactions between food quality, quantity, and gut transit time on consumer feeding, growth, and trophic dynamics. American Naturalist 169(5), pp. 632-646. (10.1086/513187)
- Mitra, A., Flynn, K. and Fasham, M. 2007. Accounting for grazing dynamics in nitrogen-phytoplankton-zooplankton models. Limnology and Oceanography 52(2), pp. 649-661. (https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2007.52.2.0649)
2006
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2006. Accounting for variation in prey selectivity by zooplankton. Ecological Modelling 199(1), pp. 82-92. (10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.06.013)
- Mitra, A. 2006. A multi-nutrient model for the description of stoichiometric modulation of predation in micro- and mesozooplankton. Journal of Plankton Research 28(6), pp. 597-611. (10.1093/plankt/fbi144)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2006. Promotion of harmful algal blooms by zooplankton predatory activity. Biology Letters 2(2), pp. 194-197. (10.1098/rsbl.2006.0447)
2005
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2005. Predator-prey interactions: is 'ecological stoichiometry' sufficient when good food goes bad?. Journal of Plankton Research 27(5), pp. 393-399. (10.1093/plankt/fbi022)
2003
- Mitra, A., Davidson, K. and Flynn, K. J. 2003. The influence of changes in predation rates on marine microbial predator/prey interactions: A modelling study. Acta Oecologica 24(Supple), pp. S359-S367. (10.1016/S1146-609X(03)00023-7)
Articles
- Mitra, A. 2024. Importance of dynamics of acquired phototrophy amongst mixoplankton; a unique example of essential nutrient transmission in community ecology. Community Ecology (10.1007/s42974-024-00202-9)
- Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J., Stoecker, D. K. and Raven, J. A. 2024. Trait trade-offs in phagotrophic microalgae: the mixoplankton conundrum. European Journal of Phycology 59(1), pp. 51-70. (10.1080/09670262.2023.2216259)
- Mitra, A. et al. 2023. The Mixoplankton Database - diversity of photo-phago-trophic plankton in form, function and distribution across the global ocean. The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 70(4), article number: e12972. (10.1111/jeu.12972)
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2023. Feeding in mixoplankton enhances phototrophy increasing bloom-induced pH changes with ocean acidification. Journal of Plankton Research 45(4), pp. 636–651. (10.1093/plankt/fbad030)
- Tillmann, U., Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J. and Larsson, M. E. 2023. Mucus-trap-assisted feeding is a common strategy of the small mixoplanktonic prorocentrum pervagatum and P. cordatum (prorocentrales, dinophyceae). Microorganisms 11(7), article number: 1730. (10.3390/microorganisms11071730)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2023. Low rates of bacterivory enhances phototrophy and competitive advantage for mixoplankton growing in oligotrophic waters. Scientific Reports 13(1) (10.1038/s41598-023-33962-x)
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Wilson, W. H., Kimmance, S. A., Clark, D. R., Pelusi, A. and Polimene, L. 2022. 'Boom-and-busted' dynamics of phytoplankton-virus interactions explain the paradox of the plankton. New Phytologist 234(3), pp. 990-1002. (10.1111/nph.18042)
- Glibert, P. M. and Mitra, A. 2022. From webs, loops, shunts, and pumps to microbial multitasking: evolving concepts of marine microbial ecology, the mixoplankton paradigm, and implications for a future ocean. Limnology and Oceanography 67(3), pp. 585-597. (10.1002/lno.12018)
- Anschütz, A., Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2022. Acquired phototrophy and Its implications for bloom dynamics of the Teleaulax-Mesodinium-Dinophysis-Complex. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, article number: 799358. (10.3389/fmars.2021.799358)
- Duarte Ferreira, G. et al. 2021. Mixoplankton interferences in dilution grazing experiments. Scientific Reports 11(1), article number: 23849. (10.1038/s41598-021-03176-0)
- Flynn, K. J., Speirs, D. C., Heath, M. R. and Mitra, A. 2021. Subtle differences in the representation of consumer dynamics have large effects in marine food web models. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, article number: 638892. (10.3389/fmars.2021.638892)
- Flynn, K. J., Kimmance, S. A., Clark, D. R., Mitra, A., Polimene, L. and Wilson, W. H. 2021. Modelling the effects of traits and abiotic factors on viral lysis in phytoplankton. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, article number: 667184. (10.3389/fmars.2021.667184)
- Goncalves Leles, S., Bruggeman, J., Polimere, L., Blackford, J., Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2021. Differences in physiology explain succession of mixoplankton functional types and affect carbon fluxes in temperate seas. Progress in Oceanography 190, article number: 102481. (10.1016/j.pocean.2020.102481)
- Flynn, K. J. et al. 2019. Mixotrophic protists and a new paradigm for marine ecology: where does plankton research go now?. Journal of Plankton Research 41(4), pp. 375-391. (10.1093/plankt/fbz026)
- Goncalves Leles, S. et al. 2019. Sampling bias misrepresents the biogeographical significance of constitutive mixotrophs across global oceans. Global Ecology and Biogeography 28(4), pp. 418-428. (10.1111/geb.12853)
- Glibert, P. M., Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J., Hansen, P. J., Jeong, H. J. and Stoecker, D. 2019. Plants are not animals and animals are not plants, right? Wrong! Tiny creatures in the ocean can be both at once!. Frontiers for Young Minds 7(48) (10.3389/frym.2019.00048)
- Sandhu, S., Morozov, A., Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2019. Exploring nonlinear functional responses of zooplankton grazers in dilution experiments via optimization techniques. Limnology and Oceanography 64(2), pp. 774-784. (10.1002/lno.11073)
- Mitra, A. 2019. Comment: Mixotrophic plankton - the perfect beasts of our oceans. Microbiology Today Magazine Oceans, pp. 47-48.
- Gonçalves Leles, S., Polimene, L., Bruggeman, J., Blackford, J., Ciavatta, S., Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2018. Modelling mixotrophic functional diversity and implications for ecosystem function. Journal of Plankton Research 40(6), pp. 627-642. (10.1093/plankt/fby044)
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A. and Bode, A. 2018. Toward a mechanistic understanding of trophic structure: Inferences from simulating stable isotope ratios. Marine Biology 165(9), pp. -., article number: 147. (10.1007/s00227-018-3405-0)
- Lin, C., Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A. and Glibert, P. M. 2018. Simulating effects of variable stoichiometry and temperature on mixotrophy in the harmful dinoflagellate karlodinium veneficum. Frontiers in Marine Science 5, pp. -., article number: 320. (10.3389/fmars.2018.00320)
- Mitra, A. 2018. The Perfect Beast. Scientific American 318(4), pp. 26-33. (10.1038/scientificamerican0418-26)
- Ghyoot, C., Lancelot, C., Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A. and Gypens, N. 2017. Introducing mixotrophy into a biogeochemical model describing an eutrophied coastal ecosystem: The Southern North Sea. Progress in Oceanography 157, pp. 1-11. (10.1016/j.pocean.2017.08.002)
- Flynn, K. J., Kenny, P. and Mitra, A. 2017. Minimising losses to predation during microalgae cultivation. Journal of Applied Phycology 29(4), pp. 1829-1840. (10.1007/s10811-017-1112-8)
- Leles, S. G. et al. 2017. Oceanic protists with different forms of acquired phototrophy display contrasting biogeographies and abundance. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 284(1860), article number: 20170664. (10.1098/rspb.2017.0664)
- Ghyoot, C., Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Lancelot, C. and Gypens, N. 2017. Modeling plankton mixotrophy: A mechanistic model consistent with the shuter-type biochemical approach. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 5, pp. -., article number: 78. (10.3389/fevo.2017.00078)
- Stoecker, D., Hansen, P., Caron, D. and Mitra, A. 2017. Mixotrophy in the Marine Plankton. Annual Review of Marine Science 9(1), pp. 311-335. (10.1146/annurev-marine-010816-060617)
- Polimene, L., Sailley, S., Clark, D., Mitra, A. and Allen, J. 2017. Biological or microbial carbon pump? The role of phytoplankton stoichiometry in ocean carbon sequestration. Journal of Plankton Research 39(2), pp. 180-186. (10.1093/plankt/fbw091)
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2016. Why plankton modelers should reconsider using rectangular hyperbolic (Michaelis-Menten, Monod) descriptions of predator-prey interactions. Frontiers in Marine Science 3, article number: 165. (10.3389/fmars.2016.00165)
- Lundgren, V. M. et al. 2016. Metabolic and physiological changes in Prymnesium parvum when grown under, and grazing on prey of, variable nitrogen: Phosphorus stoichiometry. Harmful Algae 55, pp. 1-12. (10.1016/j.hal.2016.01.002)
- Mitra, A. et al. 2016. Defining planktonic protist functional groups on mechanisms for energy and nutrient acquisition: Incorporation of diverse mixotrophic strategies. Protist 167(2), pp. 106-120. (10.1016/j.protis.2016.01.003)
- Flynn, K. J., St John, M., Raven, J. A., Skibinski, D. O., Allen, J. I., Mitra, A. and Hofmann, E. E. 2015. Acclimation, adaptation, traits and trade-offs in plankton functional type models: Reconciling terminology for biology and modelling. Journal of Plankton Research 37(4), pp. 683-691. (10.1093/plankt/fbv036)
- Flynn, K. J. et al. 2015. Ocean acidification with (de)eutrophication will alter future phytoplankton growth and succession. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 282(1804), article number: 20142604. (10.1098/rspb.2014.2604)
- Polimene, L., Mitra, A., Sailley, S., Ciavatta, S., Widdicombe, C., Atkinson, A. and Allen, J. 2015. Decrease in diatom palatability contributes to bloom formation in the Western English Channel. Progress in Oceanography 137, pp. 484-497. (10.1016/j.pocean.2015.04.026)
- Mitra, A. et al. 2014. Bridging the gap between marine biogeochemical and fisheries sciences; configuring the zooplankton link. Progress in Oceanography 129(Part B), pp. 176-199. (10.1016/j.pocean.2014.04.025)
- Jiao, N. et al. 2014. Mechanisms of microbial carbon sequestration in the ocean – future research directions. Biogeosciences 11(19), pp. 5285-5306. (10.5194/bg-11-5285-2014)
- Mitra, A. et al. 2014. The role of mixotrophic protists in the biological carbon pump. Biogeosciences 11(4), pp. 995-1005. (10.5194/bg-11-995-2014)
- Sailley, S., Polimene, L., Mitra, A., Atkinson, A. and Allen, J. 2014. Impact of zooplankton food selectivity on plankton dynamics and nutrient cycling. Journal of Plankton Research 37(3), pp. 519-529. (10.1093/plankt/fbv020)
- St. John, M. et al. 2014. Introduction to the BASIN special issue: State of art, past present a view to the future. Progress in Oceanography 129(PB), pp. 171-175. (10.1016/j.pocean.2014.11.007)
- Jiao, N. et al. 2014. Corrigendum to "Mechanisms of microbial carbon sequestration in the ocean - Future research directions" published in Biogeosciences, 11, 5285-5306, 2014. Biogeosciences 11(19), pp. -. (10.5194/bg-11-5565-2014)
- Anderson, T. R., Hessen, D. O., Mitra, A., Mayor, D. J. and Yool, A. 2013. Sensitivity of secondary production and export flux to choice of trophic transfer formulation in marine ecosystem models. Journal of Marine Systems 125, pp. 41-53. (10.1016/j.jmarsys.2012.09.008)
- Flynn, K. J. et al. 2013. Misuse of the phytoplankton-zooplankton dichotomy: the need to assign organisms as mixotrophs within plankton functional types. Journal of Plankton Research 35(1), pp. 3-11. (10.1093/plankt/fbs062)
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Greenwell, H. C. and Sui, J. 2013. Monster potential meets potential monster: Pros and cons of deploying genetically modified microalgae for biofuels production. Interface Focus 3(1), article number: 24427510. (10.1098/rsfs.2012.0037)
- Acheampong, E., Nielsen, M., Mitra, A. and St. John, M. 2012. Towards an adaptive model for simulating growth of marine mesozooplankton: a macromolecular perspective. Ecological Modelling 225, pp. 1-18. (10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.11.002)
- Mitra, A. and Davis, C. 2010. Defining the "to" in end-to-end models. Progress in Oceanography 84(1-2), pp. 39-42. (10.1016/j.pocean.2009.09.004)
- Anderson, T. R. and Mitra, A. 2010. Dysfunctionality in ecosystem models: an underrated pitfall?. Progress in Oceanography 84(1-2), pp. 66-68. (10.1016/j.pocean.2009.09.007)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2010. Modelling mixotrophy in harmful algal blooms: More or less the sum of the parts?. Journal of Marine Systems 83(3-4), pp. 158-169. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2010.04.006)
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2009. Building the "perfect beast": modelling mixotrophic plankton. Journal of Plankton Research 31(9), pp. 965-992. (10.1093/plankt/fbp044)
- Mitra, A. 2009. Are closure terms appropriate or necessary descriptors of zooplankton loss in nutrient-phytoplankton-zooplankton type models?. Ecological Modelling 220(5), pp. 611-620. (10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2008.12.008)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2007. Importance of interactions between food quality, quantity, and gut transit time on consumer feeding, growth, and trophic dynamics. American Naturalist 169(5), pp. 632-646. (10.1086/513187)
- Mitra, A., Flynn, K. and Fasham, M. 2007. Accounting for grazing dynamics in nitrogen-phytoplankton-zooplankton models. Limnology and Oceanography 52(2), pp. 649-661. (https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2007.52.2.0649)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2006. Accounting for variation in prey selectivity by zooplankton. Ecological Modelling 199(1), pp. 82-92. (10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.06.013)
- Mitra, A. 2006. A multi-nutrient model for the description of stoichiometric modulation of predation in micro- and mesozooplankton. Journal of Plankton Research 28(6), pp. 597-611. (10.1093/plankt/fbi144)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2006. Promotion of harmful algal blooms by zooplankton predatory activity. Biology Letters 2(2), pp. 194-197. (10.1098/rsbl.2006.0447)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2005. Predator-prey interactions: is 'ecological stoichiometry' sufficient when good food goes bad?. Journal of Plankton Research 27(5), pp. 393-399. (10.1093/plankt/fbi022)
- Mitra, A., Davidson, K. and Flynn, K. J. 2003. The influence of changes in predation rates on marine microbial predator/prey interactions: A modelling study. Acta Oecologica 24(Supple), pp. S359-S367. (10.1016/S1146-609X(03)00023-7)
Book sections
- Mitra, A. and Leles, S. G. 2023. A revised interpretation of marine primary productivity in the Indian Ocean: the role of mixoplankton. In: Tripathy, S. C. and Singh, A. eds. Dynamics of Planktonic Primary Productivity in the Indian Ocean. Springer, pp. 101-128., (10.1007/978-3-031-34467-1_5)
- Glibert, P. et al. 2020. Multifaceted climatic change and nutrient effects on harmful algae require multifaceted models. In: Botana, L. M., Louzao, M. C. and Vilarino, N. eds. Climate Change and Marine and Freshwater Toxins, 2nd Edition. De Gruyter, pp. 473-518., (10.1515/9783110625738-012)
- Hansen, P. J. et al. 2019. Mixotrophy among freshwater and marine protists. In: Encyclopedia of Microbiology (Fourth Edition). Elsevier, pp. 199-210., (10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.20685-7)
- Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. J. 2016. Exploring the implications of the stoichiometric modulation of planktonic predation. In: Aquatic Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry: A Dual Perspective. Cham: Springer, pp. 77-89., (10.1007/978-3-319-30259-1_7)
Books
- Mitra, A., Hansen, P. J. and Flynn, K. J. 2021. Seasonal distribution of non-constitutive mixoplankton across Arctic, temperate and Mediterranean coastal waters. Zenodo. (10.5281/zenodo.5055708)
Conferences
- Flynn, K. J., Mitra, A., Gilbert, P. and Smyth, T. 2021. Mixoplankton international workshop report. Presented at: MixITiN International Conference on Mixoplankton 2021, Cardiff, Wales, 19-20 January 2021. , (10.5281/zenodo.5521009)
Monographs
- Anschütz, A., Maselli, M., Traboni, C., Stolte, W., Mitra, A. and Flynn, K. 2024. Importance of integration of the mixoplankton paradigm within Marine Framework Directives. Zenodo. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10684459
- Mitra, A., Flynn, K. J., Anestis, K., Mansour, J. S., Ferreira, G. D. and Calbert, A. 2021. Novel approaches for investigating marine planktonic mixotrophy. Zenodo. Available at: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5148500
- 2021. A guide for field studies and environmental monitoring of mixoplankton populations. Zenodo. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5054916
- Hansen, P. J. et al. 2021. A manual for isolation and culture of mixoplankton to support experimental studies.
Other
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2021. A simple N-based mixoplankton model; cockpit version. (10.5281/zenodo.5026516)
- Flynn, K. J. and Mitra, A. 2021. A simple n-based mixoplankton model. Zenodo. (10.5281/zenodo.5026396)
Research
I am a marine plankton ecologist. My research can be broadly classified into the following categories:
- Stoichiometric ecology (C,N,P flows in ecology ) with an emphasis on exploring the interactions of food (prey) quality and quantity on consumer growth and thence on trophic dynamics and biogeochemistry.
- Marine Systems Dynamics with a focus on the major drivers of life in the oceans that cover 2/3rds of our planet – namely the protist plankton.
I have been involved in various projects funded through the EU FP7 programme (e.g., Euro-BASIN), by Leverhulme Trust and RCUK investigating a variety of issues ranging from sustainable use of water to the impact of human behaviour on the global oceans.
More recently I have been a key driver of the new mixoplankton-centric paradigm in marine ecology, which rewrites over 100 years of understanding of marine ecology. This highlights the importance of the microbial planktonic "Perfect Beasts" that photosynthesize (contributing to ca. 50% of the oxygen we breath) and also eat in the one cell. I authored a Scientific American article on the Perfect Beast (March 2018). This was then selected for the Scientific American Revolutions in Science Special Issue (July 2018) as one of "13 discoveries that could change everything". This article has since been translated into French and German.
Current grants:
MixITiN: I am the Project Coordinator of the €2.88 H2020 Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Innovative Training Network MixITiN. This 4 year project which started in October 2017 is training an innovative team of Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) to develop new methodologies for researching, monitoring and managing our marine environment according to the recently revised paradigm for marine pelagic production. MixITiN brings together world-class European research and training centres from 9 different countries, with skillsets from molecular biology, physiology and computer modelling, to marine and coastal zone management, public and media engagement.
MixoHUB: I am the project lead on the Welsh Government funded Sêr Cymru Capacity Building Accelerator Award entitled "Living with the Perfect Beast; establishing MixoHUB, a centre of excellence for mixoplankton research in Wales". My vision is to build and establish MixoHUB as a dynamic cross-disciplinary research group of international excellence based in Cardiff University. Through establishment of a unique and impactful research group, for combined empirical and in silico research on the new mixoplankton paradigm, this project will develop national and international capability at Cardiff University, in a globally important arena. This 3 year £0.5 M project started in June 2020 and will employ two post-doctoral level researchers and also support procurement of equipment to enable establishment of the MixoHUB.
Microbial Carbon Five (MCP): I am a co-Investigator on a NERC-UK funded Microbial Carbon Pump project. This project led by Dr Luca Polimene will conduct laboratory experiments to provide the physiological information and understanding needed to develop the first ever model describing the MCP and its relationship with nutrient concentrations and temperature. This will be the first critical step towards the simulation of the MCP in present and future oceans. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of internationally recognised scientists, from chemical analysts to system biology and ecosystem modellers.
Biography
EDUCATION
- PGCertHE (2018) Distinction. Swansea University, Wales
- PhD (2006) Zooplankton Growth Dynamics: A Modelling Study. Open University, based at Scottish Association for Marine Science Oban, Scotland.
- MSc (1999) Ecosystems Analysis and Governance. Warwick University. Dissertation: "Modelling conservation of species through vaccination".
- BSc Botany Hons. (1998) First Class; Allied subjects: Chemistry, Zoology, English First Division, Presidency College, Calcutta University, Kolkata, India
Honours and awards
- Yuva Rattan Award, NRI Welfare Society India (2020)
- Visiting Professorship, Ecology of Aquatic Systems Group, Université Libre de Bruxelles (2018 – )
- Visiting Fellowship, University of Technology Sydney, Australia (December 2019)
- British Science Association Media Fellow at BBC Countryfile, Bristol, UK (2014-2015)
- Welsh Crucible participant (2012)
Professional memberships
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, FHEA
Academic positions
- 2018 – 2019 Senior Lecturer Research, Biosciences, Swansea University, Wales UK
- 2017 – 2015 Lecturer Research, Biosciences, Swansea University, Wales, UK
- 2011 – 2014 Plankton Systems Dynamics Modeller FP7 project "EuroBasin", Swansea University, Wales, UK
- 2010 – 2011 Algal BioFuels Modeller on Carbon Trust funded project based at Swansea University, Wales, UK
- 2008 – 2010 Review of Consents Officer and Biodiversity Officer, Bridgend County Borough Council
- 2008 Climate Change Research Consultant, Welsh Local Government Association funded project
- 2007 – 2005 Managing Editor of the Journal of Plankton Research. Oxford University Press, UK.
- 2006 – 2004 NERC UK RA, Quantifying & modelling growth efficiency in zooplankton. Swansea University, UK
- 2000 – 2002 NERC-UK RA, Biological modeller; NERC special topic "Marine Productivity". The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Oban, Scotland, UK
Committees and reviewing
- Reviewer Grant; EC-H2020, NERC UK, BBSRC UK, NSF USA, Danish Research Council, Austrian Research Council.
- Journal reviewer, various including Ecology Letters, Limnology and Oceanography, Journal of Plankton Research, Biogeosciences
- Managing Editor, Journal of Plankton Research, Oxford University Press (2005-2007)
Supervisions
- Mixoplankton Ecophysiology
- Marine Systems Dynamics Modelling
- Plankton Predator-Prey Dynamics
