ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE SOIL PROTOZOANS OF THE FILDES PENINSULA, ANTARCTICA

Soil protozoans of Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica were investigated from December, 1994 to February, 1995. 37 species of protozoans were observed, among which there were 11 species of Flagellates, 9 species of Sarcodina and 17 species of Ciliates. Bodo edax, Bodo globosus, Monas minims, Monas socialis, Pleuromonas jaculans, Euglypha denticulata and Chilodonella uncinata were predominant. The density of the protozoans in 13 sampling sites ranged from 33 to 577 ind./g dried soil. A significant linear correlation between positive protozoan density and soil moisture was found.