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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 2029

Wilfried Schonborn; Population Dynamics and Production Biology of Testate Amoebae (Rhizopoda, Testacea) in Raw Humus of Two Coniferous Forest Soils. Arch.Protistenk 132:325-342, 1986

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In raw humus (two spruce forest soils) near the village of Plothen (GDR, Thuringia) the population dynamics and annual production (including its parameters) of Testacea were investigated. Thirty-two testacean species were found. The annual production of individuals in the needle layer (litter layer) was 19 and 11 times higher respectively than in the underlying humus layer. The produced biomass in both layers was less different, caused by the large species in the humus layer. The average biomass production amounted to 650 kJ m-2 yr-1. The relationship between habitat structure, adaptation and production biology was described. Length of generation time and rate of mortality showed an inverse relationship independent of the height of production. The generation times are shorter in the humus layer than in the needle layer; but the rate of mortality increases from needle layer to underlying layer. In the more extreme site 2, production and turnover were higher than in site 1. The curve of resting stages oscillated throughout the year and often accounted for 50% of the populations. The decomposition of empty shells in raw humus was essentially slower than in mull and moder. The half-time of decomposition amounted to 51 days. The occurrence of accompanied microfauna (zooflagellates, amoebae, ciliates, rotifers, and nematodes) was noticed. Interpretation of the needle preference of ciliates was given. Some comparisons between testacean production and its parameters in raw humus and mull have been carried out. The average consumption of Testacea in raw humus amounted to 1420 kJ m-2 yr-1 and reached nearly the amount of consumption of all arthropods or "worms" in beech forest soils.