SKB PSAR SFK List - Version 1
FEP 4.2.5 Filter feeders (CompBio05)

Filter feeders are aquatic organisms that feed on particulate organic matter and small organisms (phytoplankton and zooplankton) filtered out by circulating the water through the animal's system. Filter feeders include a wide range of animals such as bivalves (e.g. mussels), sponges, crustaceans (e.g. shrimps) and even whales. Filter feeders are an important group of organisms in aquatic ecosystems as they can greatly affect the amount of particulate matter and nutrients in the water, and transport particulate matter from the water column into biota. Hence they are treated separately although they conceptually are a mix of decomposers, herbivores, and carnivores. Species, quantity (i.e. biomass) and geometry of filter feeders are included. The geometry of filter feeders can affect water velocities, and they can serve as substrate for other organisms.