We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The First Record for the Americas of Loxodes rex, a Flagship Ciliate with an Alleged Restricted Biogeography.
- Authors
Hines, Hunter; McCarthy, Peter; Esteban, Genoveva
- Abstract
As the foundations of food webs, protozoa are essential to the success of an ecological system. These organisms are often overlooked, and research in the Americas is sparse. Recent samplings conducted in freshwater canals and ponds in Florida, USA, have revealed Loxodes rex, an alleged endemic ciliate species. Originally described as endemic to tropical Africa, L. rex has been considered a prime candidate for proof of microbial endemism. Our studies have shown this giant, non-encysting ciliate to be thriving in subtropical Florida. Our observations are novel and include both the first record of occurrence for the Americas and the first high-quality in vivo images for this charismatic species.
- Subjects
CILIATA; PROTOZOA; BIOGEOGRAPHY; SPECIES diversity; FOOD chains; FRESHWATER ecology
- Publication
Microbial Ecology, 2016, Vol 71, Issue 1, p5
- ISSN
0095-3628
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00248-015-0656-x