engleski

Influence of current velocity on ciliate assemblages on travertine barriers in karstic biotopes

This work describes some characteristics of ciliate protozoa assemblages in bryophyte-covered substrata developed at different current velocities in the karstic habitats on a travertine barrier in Plitvice Lakes. Population densities of ciliates varied from 65 to 1600 Ind. cm� 2. Total number of ciliates per unit area decreased nonlinearly with increase of current velocity. Bryophytes provide the food for ciliates indirectly, in the form of trapped detritus and periphyton. The regression analysis showed that population densities of ciliates increase exponentially with an increase in the ultra fine organic matter (UPOM) content accumulated in the moss mats.

ciliates; current velocity; karstic waters; bryophytes

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