Distribution of testate amoebae in bryophyte communities in São Miguel Island (Azores Archipelago)

Abstract

Testate amoebae are a polyphyletic group of protists living preferentially in soils, freshwaters and wetlands. These Protozoa have worldwide distribution, but their presence and diversity in the Azores (a remote oceanic archipelago) is poorly known, with only twelve taxa recorded so far. The published information reflects occasional collections from sporadic field visits from naturalists to the island, mainly in the nineteenth century. To overcome these, a standardized survey was carried out in São Miguel Island, sampling different types of habitats on several localities to provide the distribution and information on species ecology of testate amoebae.In this study, 43 species of testate amoebae were recorded (within a total of 499 occurrences), belonging to two orders of Protista (26 Arcellinida and 17 Euglyphida). The most frequently occurring testate amoebae were Euglypha strigosa, Trinema lineare, Euglypha rotunda, Assulina muscosum and Cyclopyxis eurystoma.. The most diverse genera were Euglypha (6 species). A total of 38 species are new records for the Azores Archipelago. These data help to improve knowledge of the geographical distribution of testate amoebae in the northern hemisphere and their diversity in the Azores Archipelago.