Speleolog, Vol. 71 No. 1, 2023.
Professional paper
Protists (Protista) in the Veternica Cave
Najla Baković
Ferry Siemensma
Robert Baković
Roman Ozimec
Abstract
Protists (Protista) are a diverse and species-rich group of microorganisms that, in addition to many above-ground habitats, also inhabit caves. Although these are organisms that are a trophic link between bacteria and animals in caves, they have been very poorly researched. Protists in Veternica Cave were investigated during an eight-year period, covering various aquatic, terrestrial and transitional habitats. In Veternica Cave, heterotrophic protists are the dominant group, among which members of testate and naked amoebae, ciliates, flagellates, heliozoa and stramenopiles have been recorded. Phototrophic protists are found in the entrance parts of the cave and on lampenflora. Up to now, the largest number of species has been recorded from the group of testate amoebae (over 30 species), among which is the newly described cave species Centropyxis bipilata. Veternica is an easily accessible and habitat-rich cave and it is very suitable for further protist research. The current results could only be considered as a good signpost for future research and serve as an incentive to a broader range of researchers.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
314782
URI
Publication date:
23.2.2024.
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