Estrutura temporal da assembléia de ciliados peritríquios (Ciliophora, Peritrichia) em lago subtropical no sul do Brasil

Abstract

Successional processes present complex relationships between abiotic and biotic factors. These processes influence the structure and functioning of the community, as well as the ecosystem. The Subclass Peritrichia is one of the largest groups in the Phylum Ciliophora. They can occupy various types of water bodies. However, despite their great diversity and common occurrence, they are poorly studied. In the present work we performed a one year survey of peritrich ciliates colonizing glass slides in the Lake Guaiba located in southern Brazil. We analyzed the population dynamics of the species composing the community, and correlated it with environmental factors. A total of 35 morphospecies of Peritrichia were found, of which at least six are undescribed. Results showed that the group presents high diversity and a complex successional organization, with different responses to environmental factors and days of exposure of the traps.