Accurate enumeration and identification of Testacea (Protozoa, Rhizopoda) in forest soil using scanning electron microscopy

Silica and testate amoebae in a soil under pine–oak forest

“…Therefore the silica released from soils was expressed as values relative to the concentrations at day 1. The numbers of testate amoebae in the soil suspensions were counted at day 0, day 14 and day 28 using scanning electron microscopy following the methods of Aoki (2003).…”

“…We estimated the amount of silica accumulated by testate amoebae in forest soil using the population density data of Aoki (2003).…”

“…Biosilica preserved by living testate amoebae was estimated from the annual mean population density and biomass reported by Schönborn (1975Schönborn ( , 1982 and Lousier and Parkinson (1984) to be 0.16-0.97 kg SiO 2 ha − 1 (Table 3). Empty tests outnumber living animals in the soil by several times to several tens of times Values were recalculated from population density data of Aoki (2003). (Foissner, 1985(Foissner, , 1987.…”