Eco‐evolutionary differences in light utilization traits and distributions of freshwater phytoplankton

We compiled light utilization traits for 56 species of freshwater phytoplankton to analyze group differences, trait trade‐offs, and allometric scaling relationships. We also used these traits to explain differences in major group distributions along the light availability gradient in 527 lakes in the continental United States. Major taxonomic groups differed significantly in their light utilization traits. Cyanobacteria had the highest initial...