Ref ID : 6799
Nicola Ricci; Microhabitats of ciliates: Specific adaptations to different substrates. Limnol.Oceanogr. 34(6):1089-1097, 1989
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Several traits of the biology of the ciliate hypotrichs Oxytricha bifaria and Euplotes crassus suggested that, although they share a clear-cut thigmotactism, they could be expected to differ in some respects from each other as to microhabitat. A bidimensional flat substrate (such as that represented by sunken leaves and stems) was considered suitable for the former species, while a tridimensionally articulated one (such as the network of tunnels between grains of sand) was expected to be the preferred substrate for the latter. Single and paired specimens of these species were tested separately, in order to observe their distribution when flat and sandy substrates (with different granulometry, for different tests) were made available contemporaneously. The results showed that the working hypothesis holds perfectly for the species considered. Thus, for the first time it was demonstrated that two species, both well known for their thigmotactism and therefore believed to be very similar to each other in their "life styles," are actually adapted to different microhabitats defined by their dimensionalities.