Influence of environmental characteristics on the distribution of ciliates in the River Henares (Central Spain)

Abstract

We studied the composition distribution and dynamics of ciliated protozoan communities as well as their relationships with the physical-chemical characteristics of their environment in the River Henares (Central Spain) .A total of 67 species belonging to 54 genera were identified . Thirty-four species were subjected to statistical treatment using absence-presence data . Principal component analysis reduced the number of variables to two factors which accounted for 84 .73% of total variance . The first axis grouped non-conservative variables which strongly depended on biological activity. This axis was identified with `nutrient status and pollution level' . In contrast the second factor included conservative variables poorly influenced by the activity of organisms . This axis was identified with the `water mineral content' . From the arrangement of different species of ciliates with regard to these two factors and using non-hierarchic cluster analysis we established three different groups with respect to each factor.The saprobiological characterization of the different sampling points indicated that three different stretches can be distinguished in all seasons and we propose some tentative relationshps between chemical and biological variables which characterize the different levels of saprobity in this river.

The influence of environmental characteristics on the distribution of ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) in an urban stream of southeast Brazil

“…The degree of similarity among the ciliate taxocenoses at the three sampling stations studied is shown Czapik, 1982;Madoni and Ghetti, 1982;Sparagano and Grolière, 1991;Sola et al, 1996;Madoni and Bassanini, 1999), which shows the ample ecological valence that is characteristic of this species. Several authors, studying rivers in France (Sparagano and Grolière, 1991), Spain (Sola et al, 1996), Italy (Madoni and Ghetti, 1981;Madoni, 1993; Table 1.…”

“…1991; Madoni, 1983;1984;1993;Fernandez-Leborans and Novillo, 1996;Sola et al, 1996;Primc-Habdija et al, 1998;Madoni and Bassanini, 1999; Madoni, 2005;Madoni and Braghiroli, 2007).…”

“…Biological data, together with physical and chemical data represent an important tool to evaluate water quality in rivers and streams and have contributed to efforts to control emissions of organic pollutants in urban lotic systems (Suehiro and Tezuca, 1981;Groliére et al, 1990;Sparagano and Grolière, 1991;Madoni, 1993;Fernandez-Leborans and Novillo, 1996;Sola et al, 1996;Madoni and Bassanini, 1999;Madoni, 2005;Madoni and Braghiroli, 2007).…”

“…J. Biol., 68(2): 287-295, 2008 2881991; Madoni, 1983;1984;1993;Fernandez-Leborans and Novillo, 1996;Sola et al, 1996;Primc-Habdija et al, 1998;Madoni and Bassanini, 1999; Madoni, 2005;Madoni and Braghiroli, 2007).The present research studies the community of ciliated protozoa at points with different raw domestic sewage levels along São Pedro Stream (Southeast Brazil) to determine the influence of organic pollution on the composition and distribution of this community and to evaluate the use of ciliates as water quality indicators. …”

Analysis and evolution of water quality of the upper Váh River (northern Slovakia) by long-term changes in the community structure of ciliates (Protista: Ciliophora)

“…For many decades ciliates have been used as indicators of various environmental changes in water ecosystems (e.g., Šrámek-Hušek 1958;Liebmann 1962;Bick 1972;Sládeček 1973;Madoni 1983;2005;Bereczky & Nosek 1993;Sola et al 1996;Madoni & Braghiroli 2007;Andrushchyshyn et al 2009). Moreover, these eukaryotic microbes reflect very well a variety of anthropogenic pressures on freshwater bodies, such as increased organic load (e.g., Madoni & Bassanini 1999), toxic pollution (e.g., Madoni et al 1996Madoni et al , 1998Madoni 2000;Gutiérrez et al 2003) or eutrophication (e.g., Xu et al 2005), by alterations in their community structure.…”