Ciliates in chalk-stream habitats congregate in biodiversity hot spots

Authors: Bradley, M.W., Esteban, G.F. and Finlay, B.J.

Journal: Research in Microbiology

Volume: 161

Issue: 7

Pages: 619-625

eISSN: 1769-7123

ISSN: 0923-2508

DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2010.05.016

Abstract:

Free-living ciliates are a diverse group of microbial eukaryotes that inhabit aquatic environments. They have a vital role within the 'microbial loop', being consumers of microscopic prey such as bacteria, micro-algae, and flagellates, and representing a link between the microscopic and macroscopic components of aquatic food webs. This investigation describes the ciliate communities of four habitats located in the catchment of the River Frome, the major chalk-stream in southern Britain. The ciliate communities were characterised in terms of community assemblage, species abundance and size classes. The ciliate communities investigated proved to be highly diverse, yielding a total of 114 active species. An additional 15 'cryptic' ciliate species were also uncovered. Heterogeneity in the ciliate communities was evident at multiple spatial scales, revealing hot spots of species richness, both within and between habitats. The ciliate communities of habitats with flowing water were composed of smaller ciliates compared to the still-water habitats examined. © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS.

Source: Scopus

Ciliates in chalk-stream habitats congregate in biodiversity hot spots.

Authors: Bradley, M.W., Esteban, G.F. and Finlay, B.J.

Journal: Res Microbiol

Volume: 161

Issue: 7

Pages: 619-625

eISSN: 1769-7123

DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2010.05.016

Abstract:

Free-living ciliates are a diverse group of microbial eukaryotes that inhabit aquatic environments. They have a vital role within the 'microbial loop', being consumers of microscopic prey such as bacteria, micro-algae, and flagellates, and representing a link between the microscopic and macroscopic components of aquatic food webs. This investigation describes the ciliate communities of four habitats located in the catchment of the River Frome, the major chalk-stream in southern Britain. The ciliate communities were characterised in terms of community assemblage, species abundance and size classes. The ciliate communities investigated proved to be highly diverse, yielding a total of 114 active species. An additional 15 'cryptic' ciliate species were also uncovered. Heterogeneity in the ciliate communities was evident at multiple spatial scales, revealing hot spots of species richness, both within and between habitats. The ciliate communities of habitats with flowing water were composed of smaller ciliates compared to the still-water habitats examined.

Source: PubMed

Preferred by: Genoveva Esteban

Ciliates in chalk-stream habitats congregate in biodiversity hot spots

Authors: Bradley, M.W., Esteban, G.F. and Finlay, B.J.

Journal: RESEARCH IN MICROBIOLOGY

Volume: 161

Issue: 7

Pages: 619-625

eISSN: 1769-7123

ISSN: 0923-2508

DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2010.05.016

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Ciliates in chalk-stream habitats congregate in biodiversity hot spots.

Authors: Bradley, M.W., Esteban, G.F. and Finlay, B.J.

Journal: Research in microbiology

Volume: 161

Issue: 7

Pages: 619-625

eISSN: 1769-7123

ISSN: 0923-2508

DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2010.05.016

Abstract:

Free-living ciliates are a diverse group of microbial eukaryotes that inhabit aquatic environments. They have a vital role within the 'microbial loop', being consumers of microscopic prey such as bacteria, micro-algae, and flagellates, and representing a link between the microscopic and macroscopic components of aquatic food webs. This investigation describes the ciliate communities of four habitats located in the catchment of the River Frome, the major chalk-stream in southern Britain. The ciliate communities were characterised in terms of community assemblage, species abundance and size classes. The ciliate communities investigated proved to be highly diverse, yielding a total of 114 active species. An additional 15 'cryptic' ciliate species were also uncovered. Heterogeneity in the ciliate communities was evident at multiple spatial scales, revealing hot spots of species richness, both within and between habitats. The ciliate communities of habitats with flowing water were composed of smaller ciliates compared to the still-water habitats examined.

Source: Europe PubMed Central