Many of these cells, especially cyanobacteria, are too small to be captured and consumed by small crustaceans and planktonic larvae. Instead, these cells are consumed by phagotrophic protists which are readily consumed by larger organisms. Viruses can infect and break open bacterial cells and (to a lesser extent), planktonic algae (a.k.a.
In the context of microbial ecology, many microscopic organisms like cyanobacteria are too small to be preyed upon by tiny crustaceans and planktonic larvae. However, they are consumed by phagotrophic protists that are then eaten by larger organisms. Viruses can also infect bacterial cells and (to a lesser extent) some planktonic algae.