A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON EUGLENOPHYTA FROM WESTERN HUBEI

The present investigation deals with the Euglenophyta as presented in collections from different localities of Western Hubei, China. Altogether, 140 taxa belonging to 16 genera have been noted. Among them, 116 taxa belong to green euglenoids and only 24 taxa to colourless euglenoids; 5 species, 7 varieties and 3 forms are described as new to science, and 20 taxa are new records of China.Concerning the topographical conditions of the working area, three categories can be divided, i.e.: mountainous districts (only 5 taxa of euglenoid noted in these localities), basins of river valley (40 taxa collected) and hilly lands along Yangtze River (128 taxa discovered). Topographical conditions of these districts affect both size and number of the small standing water bodies, as well as the fertility of water. These are undoubtedly important factors influencing the production and distribution of the Euglenophyta.