Long‐term changes in the structure of ciliate communities in a small isolated pond

Abstract

The ciliate community was studied for a one-year cycle in a shallow freshwater pond covered by a dense layer of floating macrophytes (Lemna minor) in northern Italy. In all, 38 ciliate species were found with segregation between aerobic (surface layer) and anaerobic (bottom) habitats. Some species, such as Spirostomum ambiguum, and 5. teres, were frequent in both sites and proved the most important component of the ciliate assemblage of the explored pond. The results obtained in this study were compared with those from a previous one carried out in 1987. Even if the number of species found during the first series of samples (47) was higher with respect to the second (38), a large proportion of the ciliate assemblage was maintained, since 31 species were common to both periods. The benthic ciliate communities in the pond were more stable in time than those observed at the surface layer of floating macrophytes. Nevertheless, the latter were substantially differentiated from the former, in spite of the low level of the water column.

Morphologic and molecular description of Metopus fuscus Kahl from North America and new rDNA sequences from seven metopids (Armophorea, Metopidae)

“…We have found M. fuscus in the above-described pond several times since 2006. Madoni and Sartore (2003) reported very low abundances of M. fuscus, except in spring and summer months, but we have found abundant populations year-round both at the pond site and in the garden tub. Kahl (1927Kahl ( , 1932) also found M. fuscus most commonly during winter.…”

“…Jankowski (1964b) found it in ponds around St. Petersburg, Russia. Reports of M. fuscus from Germany (Kreutz and Foissner 2006), Italy (Madoni and Sartore 2003), Mexico (Nomdedeu 1988), Slovakia (Matis et al 1996), Ukraine (Koval'chuck 1980), U.S.A. (Noland 1927), and Thailand (Charubhun and Charubhun 2000) are all unsubstantiated by illustrations; however, it is likely that M. fuscus is a widely distributed (at least in Laurasian habitats), but poorly known species. Other illustrated records have been discussed above in the synonymy section.…”

Ciliate communities in shallow groundwater: seasonal and spatial characteristics

“…The majority of ciliate research has focused on planktonic communities (e.g. Pomeroy, 1974; Foissner, Berger & Schaumburg, 1999; Madoni & Sartore, 2003; Slapeta, Moreira & Lopez‐Garcia, 2005; Weitere et al. , 2005; Andrushchyshyn, Magnusson & Williams, 2006).…”

Phylogenomics solves a long-standing evolutionary puzzle in the ciliate world: The subclass Peritrichia is monophyletic

“…Peritrichs have ubiquitous distribution and occupy a broad array of marine and freshwater habitats as well as soil (Al-Rasheid, 1996;Barbieri and Orlandi, 1989;Clamp and Coats, 2000;Landers and Phipps, 2003;Lynn, 2008;Madoni and Sartore, 2003). Peritrichs are distinct morphologically and comprise one of the most speciose ciliate groups.…”