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Exploring the diversity and ecology of testate amoebae in West Siberian peatlands

Publication date: 22.09.2017

Acta Protozoologica, 2017, Volume 56, Issue 1, pp. 59 - 70

https://doi.org/10.4467/16890027AP.17.005.6969

Authors

,
Yuri A. Mazei
Department of Zoology and Ecology, Penza VG Belinsky State Pedagogical University, Penza, Russia
Department of Hydrobiology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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,
Viktor Chernyshov
Penza State University, Penza, Russia
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,
Sergei Bukhkalo
Tobolsk Complex Scientific Station, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tobolsk, Tyumen Region, Russia
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,
Natalia Mazei
Lomonosov Moscow State University
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,
Angela L. Creevy
School of Natural Science and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
All publications →
Richard J. Payne
Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom
All publications →

Titles

Exploring the diversity and ecology of testate amoebae in West Siberian peatlands

Abstract

Testate amoebae are valued for their functional significance and application as indicators of environmental conditions, particularly in peatland ecosystems. Research on testate amoebae has increased dramatically in recent years but there are still large parts of the world which have seen very little research. Here we consider testate amoeba communities of the West Siberian Lowland, the world’s largest peatland region and therefore one of the largest potential habitats for testate amoebae. Extensive sampling identified 89 taxa and showed that testate amoeba communities are structured by their physical and biological environment. We identified significant relationships between amoeba communities and both moisture content and vegetation composition. Despite the assemblages containing many widely-distributed species, some taxa considered typical of peatlands (e.g. Archerella flavum and Hyalosphenia papilio) were comparatively rare or absent, paralleling findings further south in Asia. We suggest that testate amoebae in this region deserve further study and may have useful applications in palaeoecological reconstruction and as bioindicators of the impacts of oil and gas extraction. 

References

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Information

Information: Acta Protozoologica, 2017, Volume 56, Issue 1, pp. 59 - 70

Article type: Original article

Authors

Department of Zoology and Ecology, Penza VG Belinsky State Pedagogical University, Penza, Russia

Department of Hydrobiology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

Penza State University, Penza, Russia

Tobolsk Complex Scientific Station, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tobolsk, Tyumen Region, Russia

Lomonosov Moscow State University

School of Natural Science and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom

Published at: 22.09.2017

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Yuri A. Mazei (Author) - 16%
Viktor Chernyshov (Author) - 16%
Sergei Bukhkalo (Author) - 16%
Natalia Mazei (Author) - 16%
Angela L. Creevy (Author) - 16%
Richard J. Payne (Author) - 20%

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English