Due to the lack of empirical data, meiofauna are often underestimated as prey for freshwater animals and are commonly regarded as trophic dead ends. Here we present a synthesis of recent evidence showing that meiofauna are significant as prey, not only for many benthic macroinvertebrates (chironomids, shrimps, and flatworms) but also for juveniles of widespread freshwater bottom-feeding fish species (e.g., carps, gudgeons, catfish). In this review, we focus on the following questions: (1) Which groups consume meiofauna? (2) In what amounts are meiofauna ingested? (3) Does predatory feeding behavior influence natural meiofaunal communities? (4) Are meiofauna organisms actively ingested or are they bycatch? To answer these questions, we focused on studies that included gut/feces analyses of potential predators and empirical investigations conducted in the laboratory (e.g., functional response experiments and microcosm studies) and in the field (enclosure/exclosure settings). We were able to demonstrate that meiofauna taxa are consumed in high numbers by a wide range of larger organisms. This predation can significantly shape meiofaunal communities, by reducing the abundance, biomass, and production of certain members of the investigated assemblages. However, in most cases, it remains unclear if there is an active predation of meiofauna or a passive ingestion by unselective feeding.

中文翻译：

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小型动物是大型无脊椎动物和幼鱼的标准食物吗？

由于缺乏经验数据，小型动物经常被低估为淡水动物的猎物，通常被视为营养死胡同。在这里，我们综合最近的证据表明小型动物群作为猎物很重要，不仅对许多底栖大型无脊椎动物（摇蚊、虾和扁虫）而且对广泛分布的淡水底栖鱼类（例如鲤鱼、鲶鱼、鲶鱼）的幼鱼）。在这篇综述中，我们关注以下问题：（1）哪些群体食用小型动物？(2) 小型动物的摄入量是多少？(3) 掠食性摄食行为是否影响自然小型动物群落？(4) 小型动物是主动摄取还是误捕？要回答这些问题，我们专注于研究，包括对潜在捕食者的肠道/粪便分析以及在实验室（例如，功能反应实验和微观研究）和现场（围栏/围栏设置）进行的实证调查。我们能够证明小型动物分类群被各种较大的生物大量消耗。这种捕食可以通过减少所研究组合中某些成员的丰度、生物量和产量来显着塑造小型动物群落。然而，在大多数情况下，尚不清楚是否存在对小型动物的主动捕食或非选择性喂养的被动摄入。我们能够证明小型动物分类群被各种较大的生物大量消耗。这种捕食可以通过减少所研究组合中某些成员的丰度、生物量和产量来显着塑造小型动物群落。然而，在大多数情况下，尚不清楚是否存在对小型动物的主动捕食或非选择性喂养的被动摄入。我们能够证明小型动物分类群被各种较大的生物大量消耗。这种捕食可以通过减少所研究组合中某些成员的丰度、生物量和产量来显着塑造小型动物群落。然而，在大多数情况下，尚不清楚是否存在对小型动物的主动捕食或非选择性喂养的被动摄入。