Latest Articles from Subterranean Biology Latest 1 Articles from Subterranean Biology https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:31:01 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Subterranean Biology https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/ Transitional and small aquatic cave habitats diversification based on protist assemblages in the Veternica cave (Medvednica Mt., Croatia) https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/78037/ Subterranean Biology 42: 43-60

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.42.78037

Authors: Najla Baković, Renata Matoničkin Kepčija, Ferry J. Siemensma

Abstract: Protists in caves are scarcely researched. Most cave studies address the diversity of protists, but very little is known about their habitats and spatio-temporal dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity and abundance of protists in the Veternica cave in the Medvednica mountain in Croatia on hygropetric and sinter and clay pools during six months. During this study, 47 protists taxa were distinguished belonging to the groups of heterotrophic flagellates, ciliates, heliozoans, stramenopiles and testate and naked amoebae. The highest taxon richness was found at the sinter pool site richest in bats guano (36 taxa). Most diverse were testate amoebae and ciliates. The number of taxa and their abundance differed significantly between the sampling sites. The prospected habitats supported different protist assemblages, proved by ordination analysis. The most distinctive habitat was the hygropetric. Habitat heterogeneity could be attributed to the presence of inorganic and organic sediments at the sites and habitat microhydrology (lotic or lentic system). Kendall’s concordance coefficient showed a good synchronicity between the habitats in the Veternica cave, based on taxon richness and abundance of protists indicating similar seasonal trends. Seasonality in the studied habitats is attributed to the hydro-meteorological conditions in the Veternica cave drainage area. This study is one of the few studies of spatio-temporal diversity and abundance of protists in caves. Despite the similar appearance of small transitional and aquatic habitats in caves, an example of this study showed specific habitat diversification.

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Research Article Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:11:35 +0200